Methodological challenges of cross-cultural research

SPECIALISATION CLASSES

15 h lecture

Lecture, within-class discussions, reading at home, small group tasks, presentations of own cultural background.

Methodology of cross-cultural research is unique due to its sensitivity to ecological and cultural background of individuals. This specificity of cross-cultural research unfolds methodological demands related variety of studied samples but also introduces novel methodological solutions (including data analyses) to other subdisciplines of psychology. Training in cross-cultural methodology triggers critical thinking of student making them sensitive toward adequacy and ecological validity of measurement tools, statistical and theoretical analyses in psychological research.

Topics:

Block I: INTRODUCTION

1. Construct of culture and fundamental questions in cross-cultural research

2. Types of methodological strategies used in cross-cultural psychological research (emic and etic approach)

3. Planning cross-cultural study

Block II: STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH

4. Introduction to cross-cultural analyses of data: item bias, measurement equivalence/invariance, and culture-specific response styles

5. Item bias and measurement equivalence/invariance analyses in practice

6. Analysis of the response style in practice

7. Psycholexical approach

Block III: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

8. Cultural adaptation of psychological tests

9. Cultural validity of testing

Block I: INTRODUCTION

1. Construct of culture and fundamental questions in cross-cultural research

 Poortinga, Y. (2015). Is “ Culture ” a Workable Concept for Cross- Cultural Psychology?, 2, 1–21.; and responding papers:

a) Bond, M. (2015). Where is culture in cross-cultural psychology: A practicioner of a discipline responds to Poortinga’s Is “ Culture ” a Workable Concept for ( Cross- ) Cultural Psychology?

b) Smith, P. B., (2015). Yes, we still need a concept of culture.

 van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Chassiotis, A., & Breugelmans, S. M. (2011). Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology. In: In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 9-34). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

2. Types of methodological strategies used in cross-cultural psychological research (emic and etic approach)

 Lonner, W. J., (2011). The continuing challenge of discovering psychological ‘order’ across cultures. In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 9-34). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

3. Planning cross-cultural study

 Matsumoto, D., Kim, J. J., Grissom, R. J., & Dinnel, D. L. (2011). Effect sizes in cross-cultural research. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.) (2011). Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 244-272). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Block II: STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH

4. Introduction to cross-cultural analyses of data: item bias, measurement equivalence/invariance, and culture-specific response styles

 Van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Leung, K. (2011). Equivalence and bias: A review of concepts, models, and data analytic procedures. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.) (2011). Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 18-45). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 Fisher, R., & Poortinga, Y. H. (2018). Addressing methodological challenges in culture comparative research. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 49, 691-712.

5. Measurement equivalence/invariance analyses in practice

 Fisher, R., & Fontaine, J. R. J. (2011).Methods for investigating structural equivalence. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 179-215). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 Lubiewska, K., Głogowska, K. (2018). Zastosowanie analizy równoważności pomiarowej w badaniach psychologicznych. Polskie Forum Psychologiczne, 23(2), 330-356.

6. Analysis of the response style in practice

 Smith, P. B. (2011). Communication styles as dimensions of national culture. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42(2), 216–233. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022110396866

 Harzing, A.-W., (2006). Response styles in cross-national survey research. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 243-266.

 Johnson, T. P., Shavitt, S., Holbrook, A. L. (2011). Survey response styles across cultures. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 130-179). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

7. Psycholexical approach

 Karasz, A. (2011). Qualitative and mixed methods research in cross-cultural psychology. In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 214-234). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

 Nel., J. A., Valchev, V., Rothmann, S., van de Vijver, F. J. R., Meiring, D., & de Bruin, G. P. (2012). Exploring the personality structure in the 11 languages of South Africa. Journal of Personality, 80, 915-948.

Block III: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

8. Cultural adaptation of psychological tests

 Hambleton, R. K., & Zenisky, A. L. (2011). Translating and adapting tests for cross-cultural assessments. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 46-74). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

9. Cultural validity of testing

 Barger, B., Nabi, R., & Hong, L. Y. (2010). Standard back-translation procedures may not capture proper emotion concepts: A case study of Chinese disgust terms. Emotion, 10, 703-711.

Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

A. Knowledge: (1) Students will define the line of cultural differences of his/her choice of interest in a scientific way. (2) Student will know how to plan cross-cultural study, carry it out and discuss study results. (3) Student will know how to carry out statistical analyses considered as important in cross-cultural psychology. (3) Student will know how to translate, develop and validate the psychological test in a novel culture. (4) Student will be aware of cultural sensitivity of psychological testing.

B. Skills: (1) Students will be able to plan and carry out cross cultural study. (2) Student will be able to analyse cross-cultural data set. (3) Students will be able to detect culture bias and response style in psychological research. (4) Student will be able to analyse published study reports analysing different cultural contexts in a critical way.

C. Social competences: (1) Students will be aware of the cross-cultural and within-cultural diversity of individual and social behaviors and respects that diversity in their research. (2) Student will be able to use knowledge on cross-cultural methodology to develop and support innovative actions. (3) Student will be able to initiate, plan and carry out a discussion, attend in it in a constructive way listening to others with respect and attention.

Assessment methods and criteria:

1. 40% of the final grade: Written final exam (multiple-choice test and open-ended questions) with set level of difficulty (passing grade - minimum 60% points).

2. 30% of the final grade: A written individual report consisting a plan of own cross-cultural study (including: hypotheses, their theoretical justification, assessment tools, sampling and sample description, statistical methods used to test hypotheses).

3. 30% of the final grade: A group-task in which published “cross-cultural” research papers will be discussed critically (a report will be presented during the classes and will consist: short summary of each study and its critical discussion).

Attendance rules:

Attendance is required and will be monitored.

Up to two unexcused absences are allowed. Missing more than two seminar meetings is only permitted in case of formal excuse. Missing four seminar meetings is an overall permissible limit, regardless of excuse.

Having more absences than permitted results in a fail grade for the course.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of the English language

Academic honesty

Students must respect the principles of academic integrity. Cheating and plagiarism (including copying work from other students, internet or other sources) are serious violations that are punishable and instructors are required to report all cases to the administration.

15 h lecture

Lecture, within-class discussions, reading at home, small group tasks, presentations of own cultural background.

Methodology of cross-cultural research is unique due to its sensitivity to ecological and cultural background of individuals. This specificity of cross-cultural research unfolds methodological demands related variety of studied samples but also introduces novel methodological solutions (including data analyses) to other subdisciplines of psychology. Training in cross-cultural methodology triggers critical thinking of student making them sensitive toward adequacy and ecological validity of measurement tools, statistical and theoretical analyses in psychological research.

Topics:

Block I: INTRODUCTION

1. Construct of culture and fundamental questions in cross-cultural research

2. Types of methodological strategies used in cross-cultural psychological research (emic and etic approach)

3. Planning cross-cultural study

Block II: STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH

4. Introduction to cross-cultural analyses of data: item bias, measurement equivalence/invariance, and culture-specific response styles

5. Item bias and measurement equivalence/invariance analyses in practice

6. Analysis of the response style in practice

7. Psycholexical approach

Block III: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

8. Cultural adaptation of psychological tests

9. Cultural validity of testing

Block I: INTRODUCTION

1. Construct of culture and fundamental questions in cross-cultural research

 Poortinga, Y. (2015). Is “ Culture ” a Workable Concept for Cross- Cultural Psychology?, 2, 1–21.; and responding papers:

a) Bond, M. (2015). Where is culture in cross-cultural psychology: A practicioner of a discipline responds to Poortinga’s Is “ Culture ” a Workable Concept for ( Cross- ) Cultural Psychology?

b) Smith, P. B., (2015). Yes, we still need a concept of culture.

 van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Chassiotis, A., & Breugelmans, S. M. (2011). Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology. In: In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 9-34). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

2. Types of methodological strategies used in cross-cultural psychological research (emic and etic approach)

 Lonner, W. J., (2011). The continuing challenge of discovering psychological ‘order’ across cultures. In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 9-34). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

3. Planning cross-cultural study

 Matsumoto, D., Kim, J. J., Grissom, R. J., & Dinnel, D. L. (2011). Effect sizes in cross-cultural research. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.) (2011). Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 244-272). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Block II: STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH

4. Introduction to cross-cultural analyses of data: item bias, measurement equivalence/invariance, and culture-specific response styles

 Van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Leung, K. (2011). Equivalence and bias: A review of concepts, models, and data analytic procedures. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.) (2011). Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 18-45). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 Fisher, R., & Poortinga, Y. H. (2018). Addressing methodological challenges in culture comparative research. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 49, 691-712.

5. Measurement equivalence/invariance analyses in practice

 Fisher, R., & Fontaine, J. R. J. (2011).Methods for investigating structural equivalence. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 179-215). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 Lubiewska, K., Głogowska, K. (2018). Zastosowanie analizy równoważności pomiarowej w badaniach psychologicznych. Polskie Forum Psychologiczne, 23(2), 330-356.

6. Analysis of the response style in practice

 Smith, P. B. (2011). Communication styles as dimensions of national culture. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42(2), 216–233. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022110396866

 Harzing, A.-W., (2006). Response styles in cross-national survey research. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 243-266.

 Johnson, T. P., Shavitt, S., Holbrook, A. L. (2011). Survey response styles across cultures. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 130-179). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

7. Psycholexical approach

 Karasz, A. (2011). Qualitative and mixed methods research in cross-cultural psychology. In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 214-234). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

 Nel., J. A., Valchev, V., Rothmann, S., van de Vijver, F. J. R., Meiring, D., & de Bruin, G. P. (2012). Exploring the personality structure in the 11 languages of South Africa. Journal of Personality, 80, 915-948.

Block III: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

8. Cultural adaptation of psychological tests

 Hambleton, R. K., & Zenisky, A. L. (2011). Translating and adapting tests for cross-cultural assessments. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 46-74). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

9. Cultural validity of testing

 Barger, B., Nabi, R., & Hong, L. Y. (2010). Standard back-translation procedures may not capture proper emotion concepts: A case study of Chinese disgust terms. Emotion, 10, 703-711.

Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

15 h lecture

Lecture, within-class discussions, reading at home, small group tasks, presentations of own cultural background.

Methodology of cross-cultural research is unique due to its sensitivity to ecological and cultural background of individuals. This specificity of cross-cultural research unfolds methodological demands related variety of studied samples but also introduces novel methodological solutions (including data analyses) to other subdisciplines of psychology. Training in cross-cultural methodology triggers critical thinking of student making them sensitive toward adequacy and ecological validity of measurement tools, statistical and theoretical analyses in psychological research.

Topics:

Block I: INTRODUCTION

1. Construct of culture and fundamental questions in cross-cultural research

2. Types of methodological strategies used in cross-cultural psychological research (emic and etic approach)

3. Planning cross-cultural study

Block II: STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH

4. Introduction to cross-cultural analyses of data: item bias, measurement equivalence/invariance, and culture-specific response styles

5. Item bias and measurement equivalence/invariance analyses in practice

6. Analysis of the response style in practice

7. Psycholexical approach

Block III: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

8. Cultural adaptation of psychological tests

9. Cultural validity of testing

Block I: INTRODUCTION

1. Construct of culture and fundamental questions in cross-cultural research

 Poortinga, Y. (2015). Is “ Culture ” a Workable Concept for Cross- Cultural Psychology?, 2, 1–21.; and responding papers:

a) Bond, M. (2015). Where is culture in cross-cultural psychology: A practicioner of a discipline responds to Poortinga’s Is “ Culture ” a Workable Concept for ( Cross- ) Cultural Psychology?

b) Smith, P. B., (2015). Yes, we still need a concept of culture.

 van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Chassiotis, A., & Breugelmans, S. M. (2011). Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology. In: In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 9-34). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

2. Types of methodological strategies used in cross-cultural psychological research (emic and etic approach)

 Lonner, W. J., (2011). The continuing challenge of discovering psychological ‘order’ across cultures. In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 9-34). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

3. Planning cross-cultural study

 Matsumoto, D., Kim, J. J., Grissom, R. J., & Dinnel, D. L. (2011). Effect sizes in cross-cultural research. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.) (2011). Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 244-272). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Block II: STATISTICAL ANALYSES IN CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH

4. Introduction to cross-cultural analyses of data: item bias, measurement equivalence/invariance, and culture-specific response styles

 Van de Vijver, F. J. R., & Leung, K. (2011). Equivalence and bias: A review of concepts, models, and data analytic procedures. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.) (2011). Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 18-45). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 Fisher, R., & Poortinga, Y. H. (2018). Addressing methodological challenges in culture comparative research. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 49, 691-712.

5. Measurement equivalence/invariance analyses in practice

 Fisher, R., & Fontaine, J. R. J. (2011).Methods for investigating structural equivalence. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 179-215). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 Lubiewska, K., Głogowska, K. (2018). Zastosowanie analizy równoważności pomiarowej w badaniach psychologicznych. Polskie Forum Psychologiczne, 23(2), 330-356.

6. Analysis of the response style in practice

 Smith, P. B. (2011). Communication styles as dimensions of national culture. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 42(2), 216–233. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022110396866

 Harzing, A.-W., (2006). Response styles in cross-national survey research. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 243-266.

 Johnson, T. P., Shavitt, S., Holbrook, A. L. (2011). Survey response styles across cultures. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 130-179). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

7. Psycholexical approach

 Karasz, A. (2011). Qualitative and mixed methods research in cross-cultural psychology. In: F. J. R. Van de Vijver, A. Chasiotis, & S. M. Breugelmans (Eds.), Fundamental questions of cross-cultural psychology (pp. 214-234). Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

 Nel., J. A., Valchev, V., Rothmann, S., van de Vijver, F. J. R., Meiring, D., & de Bruin, G. P. (2012). Exploring the personality structure in the 11 languages of South Africa. Journal of Personality, 80, 915-948.

Block III: CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

8. Cultural adaptation of psychological tests

 Hambleton, R. K., & Zenisky, A. L. (2011). Translating and adapting tests for cross-cultural assessments. In: D. Matsumoto, & F. J. R. van de Vijver (Eds.), Cross cultural research methods in psychology (pp. 46-74). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

9. Cultural validity of testing

 Barger, B., Nabi, R., & Hong, L. Y. (2010). Standard back-translation procedures may not capture proper emotion concepts: A case study of Chinese disgust terms. Emotion, 10, 703-711.

Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.