Social Connectedness Scale Essay

Objective Objectives of the study are as follows:
1. To translate Social Connectedness Scale into Urdu language.
2. To assess factor structure and psychometric properties of scale.
3. To establish cross language validation of Urdu translation of Social Connectedness Scale.
4. To find out convergent and discriminant validity evidence.
Phase I Translation of Social Connectedness Scale
For translating Social Connectedness Scale into Urdu three guidelines recommended by Brislin (1980) was followed. The translation procedure ensures:
1. Maximizing the content similarity between the original test and target language version.
2. Maintaing the relatively simple language level of test.
3. Translating the test without substitution or elimination of
Review of forward and backward translation
Forward Translation. In this step the scale was translated from English to Urdu according to Brislin (1980) parallel back-translation process. A translation committee was approached that consisted of bilingual experts. The original version of scale was given and requested to translate the items as accurately as they can, so that it might convey the same meanings. At the end, there was three Urdu translated versions of Social Connectedness Scale.
Reconciliation of items. Three independent forward versions was analyzed by using committee approach. Each item was focused and critically analyzed to get the best fitting translated items and check that translated items carry the exact meaning as the items in original scale. At the end final Urdu version was attained through discussion between experts.
Back translation. The backward translation was designed to obtain the conceptual equivalence of the reconciled forward translation and original version. Again three bilingual experts was taken for the translation of Urdu version into English. This step was performed to ensure that Urdu translation was correct, valid and reliable. At the end, three independent English translation of Urdu version was
Before administering the scales personal information were obtained through the demographic sheet and the confidentiality of their information was ensured. They were briefed about the nature and objectives of the study. They were provided with the detailed guidelines regarding response format and the way in which they were to complete the test. There was no time limit for the completion of scales and participants were requested to give their response honestly and openly. All participants were selected on the basis of their convenience. Participation was voluntary and anonymous, and no incentives were offered to participants. The filled questionnaires were collected personally. At the end, participants of the study were thanked for their cooperation and support in the