The development of culturally-sensitive measures for research on ageing

Author:
INGERSOLL-DAYTON Berit
Journal article citation:
Ageing and Society, 31(3), April 2011, pp.355-370.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press

This article examines the problem of importing existing measures developed in other countries when creating research instruments for use with older people. These measures often fail to address any cultural aspects present. The article discusses a mixed-methods approach to measurement that incorporates input from older adults in Thailand for whom the measure is intended. Using 44 people in 5 focus groups and 23 in-depth interviews, the process begins with an identification of the culturally-meaningful domains of the construct under study. Then, input is gathered from other studies, before a preliminary quantitative measure is developed. Finally, the measure is reviewed by a panel of experts. Based on further pre-testing and cognitive interviews with older people, the measure is again modified. Subsequently, the measure is incorporated into a large-scale survey and tested for its psychometric qualities. In addition to providing a template for culturally-sensitive measurement development in gerontology, this article also examines issues that researchers should consider when attempting the development of such measures.

Subject terms:
multicultural approach, older people, research design, research methods, ageing;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Thailand
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1469-1779
ISSN print:
0144-686X

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