Article published In:
TargetVol. 3:2 (1991) ► pp.153–174
Methodological Aspects of Interpretation (and Translation) Research
Very little actual scientific research has been carried out in I/T to date, essentially because of the lack of scientific background among I/T investigators. Major problems are found in the sampling procedures, materials, experimental conditions and tasks, quantification procedures and conclusion-drawing logic. In order to foster I/T research, methodological research training could be given to investigators, and interdisciplinary contacts and networking should be promoted. The input of I/T practitioners to I/T research can be valuable in spite of their lack of training provided they use simple methods and are supervised appropriately. Non I/T practitioners should work with practitioners.
Article outline
- Introduction
-
Basic I/T Characteristics and Their Implications on Research
- 1.In I/T, input and output can be observed and recorded under particularly favorable conditions
- 2.Processes are NOT easy to observe and record
- 3.Although many rules on output, including relations between output and input, have been described, much of the process leading from input to output remains unknown
- 4.I/T situations and operations are highly variable
- 5.I/T operational environments are fairly simple
- Major Methodological Issues and Problems in I/T Research
- 1.Subjects in I/T experimentation
- 2Materials
- 3.Experimental conditions and tasks
- 4.Quantification and quality assessment
- 5.Conclusion-drawing
- Strategies for I/T Research
- Institutional Strategies
- – Research training
- – Research programs
- – Interdisciplinary contacts
- – Dissemination of information in I/T research circles
- – Multi-centre studies
- Strategies for Individuals
- – Strategies for I/T practitioners
- – Strategies for non-practitioners
-
References
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