CROSS-CULTURE ADAPTATION

Abstract

         Cross-cultural experimental research is a methodological tool to reveal differences between cultures and identify cause-and-effect relationships. Any consideration of research designs starts with the development of cultural competence. When constructing an experiment, cultures of interest have to be considered and independent and dependent variables have to be adapted to ensure methodological equivalence. Before collecting data, sampling strategies and ethical considerations have to be taken into account. When interpreting cross-cultural findings, the researcher has to adjust for culture-specific response biases and consider adequate statistical measures. To help identify underlying cultural variables, specific methods like unpackaging, cultural priming, or situation sampling can be applied. Optimally, cross- cultural differences are captured in multiple studies using divergent methods