Objective:
To construct and utilise Irish language versions of the fieldwork documents, including the validated Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ) and Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14).
Method:
FACCT documents (introductory letter, consent form, residential and medical history form, parent survey) were professionally translated from English to Irish by University College Cork. The translated documents were verified independently and in duplicate by FACCT study personnel to confirm that the questions were unchanged by translation.
In the case of the validated instruments (P-CPQ and CPQ11-14) an additional safeguard was introduced, the questionnaires being back-translated by a second professional translator blind to the original English version. The original English versions and the back translated versions were then compared. The Irish wording was adjusted where necessary ensuring the meaning of the validated instruments was unchanged.
Result:
The FACCT sample (276 schools) includes 15 (5.4%) Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium schools located in predominantly English-speaking regions) and 12 (4.3%) schools located in the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking areas defined by government order). Eleven (73.3%) Gaelscoileanna requested English consent packs and 4 (26.7%) requested dual language consent packs. In Gaeltacht areas, 2 schools (16.7%) requested Irish consent packs; 5 (41.7%) requested dual language consent packs and 5 (41.7%) requested English consent packs. The Irish and English CPQ11-14 was administered electronically; the Irish CPQ11-14 was completed by 35 12-year-olds in 6 Gaelscoileanna.
Conclusion:
When conducting research surveys in a bilingual country, considerable resources are expended in complying with legislation and promoting participation of individuals who speak the minority official language.