The goal of this task force is to describe how interpreters are currently used in surveys, to encourage research on the effects interpreters may have on survey quality, and to identify and promote best practices in using interpreters. Most contemporary surveys do not document the use of interpreters or report nonresponse due to language problems. Many survey organizations discourage or prohibit the use of interpreters, but these policies are seldom based on evidence that interpreters have a negative effect on data quality. When interpreters are used, their interpretation skills are often not verified, they are seldom given training in the data collection process or the survey protocol, and little is known about their background. The interpreter work group seeks to make interpretation a more visible part of the survey process.
Contact person Brad Edwards, Westat