How to adapt tests for Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Researchers and practitioners interested in monitoring child development in the African context often feel hampered by the lack of appropriate scales and measures. Given this shortage, it would be possible for them to adopt (an existing instrument), adapt (an existing instrument), or assemble (a new instrument) as a means of dealing with the problem. We discuss and highlight the pros and cons of each of these procedures. In addition, we propose systematic procedures that can be used to carry different processes (i.e., adoption, adaptation, or assembly) alongside approaches for evaluating the level of success in providing an adequate measure for the context in which they are working.