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Spanish Language Resources (SLR)

Spanish Language Resources (SLR) offers translation and cognitive response testing using an evidence-based process to ensure that English and Spanish study materials are accurate, culturally appropriate, and conceptually equivalent.

About Us

Housed in the O’Donnell School of Public Health and funded in part by the CTSA Program at UT Southwestern, SLR provides services by native speakers and individuals certified in verbal, written, and medical Spanish proficiency. We place a special emphasis on ensuring that materials are accessible to a wide range of participants. This includes measuring and striving to achieve a low literacy level (below 9th grade), and using “neutral Spanish” (a.k.a. international Spanish) that can be understood by Spanish speakers from different countries and backgrounds. This is particularly important given the sociodemographic characteristics of patients participating in many studies at Parkland Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Services Include

  1. Translation, editing & proofreading (TEP)
    The majority of our requests are for TEP. Following a 3-step process recommended by the World Health Organization, TEP goes beyond translation alone (which most vendors provide), to ensure the highest level of quality and value.
  2. Cognitive response testing (a.k.a. cognitive interviewing)
    This qualitative research technique allows investigators to pre-test study materials, which is especially valuable when adapting novel survey items or modifying scientifically validated instruments for lower-literacy populations. Investigators with sufficient time and funding may benefit from this service.

SLR has experience reviewing the following types of documents:

  • Consent forms, verbal consent scripts, and HIPAA authorizations
  • Recruitment materials
  • Participant information sheets
  • Surveys
  • Interview and focus group guides
  • Educational materials

Learn More

If you are interested in using our services or would like to know more about the process, please contact us via SLR@UTSouthwestern.edu. Investigators who use the SLR should cite grant No. NIH CTSA UL1TR003163 (PI: R. Toto).