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How to Document Label Translation Decisions in Research
Not every translation decision is controversial, but recurring judgment calls should be documented. That is how teams avoid using one wording in the dataset and another in the appendix.
Documentation matters most when terms are ambiguous, country-specific, or reused across many variables.
What to Document
- Recurring treatment of don't know, refused, and missing categories.
- Preferred wording for education, income, or political categories.
- Country-specific or conceptually loaded terms that needed judgment.
A Practical Documentation Routine
- Translate labels first.
- Record recurring terminology rules after you see the full pattern.
- Keep notes with replication materials or the translated workbook.
- Use one documented wording consistently across output files.
Why It Matters
Documented translation decisions support consistency, smoother collaboration, and more credible replication materials.
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FAQ
Should every translation choice be documented?
No. Focus on recurring or ambiguous choices that are likely to matter later.
Is this useful in replication packages?
Yes. It helps others understand why repeated terms were translated the way they were.
Can notes live outside the dataset?
Yes. A translated workbook, memo, or replication note is often enough.
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