MRS and ATC launch translation services guide

The checklist will help buyers find the right translation partner and includes guidance on identifying a supplier that can help navigate translation challenges.

Other recommendations in the guide include data protection practices, client review processes and certifications for translation service providers.

Translation can be tricky in research projects, spanning understanding cultural nuances and expressing structured and unstructured data in another language.

Jane Frost, chief executive at MRS, said: “As private and public organisations work to recover from the pandemic and tackle the next global challenge of inflation and the rising cost of living, market conditions are changing rapidly.

“By making the process of procuring translation faster, easier and more effective, we aim to support the UK’s world-leading market research sector in engaging with international communities to provide the valuable and timely evidence that’s needed for informed decision making on issues which impact our economy and society.”

Ruth Partington, chair of the ATC and member of the MRS Accredited Company Partners Council and the Representation in Research Steering Group, said: “Translation can really make or break a project. In an ever more global world, effective translation is truly business critical for any company that has or aims to have an international footprint.

“We’re excited to partner with MRS to promote and support collaborative, first-rate translation procurement processes that will help the UK research industry to maintain the standard and reputation of its studies across the globe.”

The checklist can be accessed here.