Systematic Test of Equivalence Procedure: New Method to Investigate Cross-Cultural Validity
Systematic Test of Equivalence Procedure: New Method to Investigate Cross-Cultural Validity

Summary/Abstract: To conduct valid cross-cultural research, it’s essential to reduce bias (e.g., construct, method) and demonstrate equivalence (e.g., construct, linguistic). This paper introduces a new form of equivalence, method equivalence that exists if the same data collection (e.g., self-report scales, interviews) or research methods (e.g., laboratory or fi eld studies) can be used in multiple cultures or countries. Assuming a self-report scale is appropriate to employ, to further establish method equivalence, a culturally valid item response format (e.g., Likert, Forced-Choice, Thurstone) also must be utilized. Further, this paper introduces a new methodology known as the Systematic Test of Equivalence Procedure (STEP) to investigate the cross-cultural validity of constructs, data collection and research methods, scale items, and item response formats in multiple countries or diverse cultures. Additionally, STEP can be used to examine and establish the construct and method equivalence of a measure and reduce the possibility of construct, method, and item bias.

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