Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: In 2007, the Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine from Beijing began training volunteers to identify and translate citations and abstracts of (non)randomized controlled trials (RCTs/CCTs) published in Chinese journals to the CAM Field for submission to CENTRAL. In 2014, we started exploring translation of Cochrane Review abstracts and plain language summaries (PLS) into simplified Chinese to contribute to Cochrane’s translation strategy. We introduce our work to share our experiences in translation, recruiting, training, and managing translators in the hope of generating discussion about the skills for these projects.
Translation of Chinese RCTs/CCTs: In the past eight years, we have enrolled and trained over 80 volunteers from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine to translate Chinese RCTs/CCTs, and have submitted 11,405 translated records to CAM Field. There are currently 15 active volunteers, and we plan to submit another 1500 records in 2015. The RCTs/CCTs are mostly from electronic searching for specific topics, and many are from the included/excluded studies in systematic reviews conducted by our centre. The volunteers are mainly 3rd, 4th and 5th year undergraduates recruited annually by email and orally. We train volunteers in software (ProCite) use, translation principles, and methodology.
Translation of Cochrane Review abstracts/PLS: We have trained 30 centre members and submitted abstracts/PLS for three Cochrane Reviews as an initial practice in coordination with Cochrane’s Translations Coordinator, while the Chinese Cochrane Centre decides overall strategy. A list of reviews are being translated using Smartling, and we are recruiting and training more volunteers.
Conclusions: Since 2007 we have successfully recruited and trained volunteers to assist in translating projects with Cochrane. The type of volunteer and training needed varies across projects. Information about these projects may benefit others involved in translation.
Translation of Chinese RCTs/CCTs: In the past eight years, we have enrolled and trained over 80 volunteers from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine to translate Chinese RCTs/CCTs, and have submitted 11,405 translated records to CAM Field. There are currently 15 active volunteers, and we plan to submit another 1500 records in 2015. The RCTs/CCTs are mostly from electronic searching for specific topics, and many are from the included/excluded studies in systematic reviews conducted by our centre. The volunteers are mainly 3rd, 4th and 5th year undergraduates recruited annually by email and orally. We train volunteers in software (ProCite) use, translation principles, and methodology.
Translation of Cochrane Review abstracts/PLS: We have trained 30 centre members and submitted abstracts/PLS for three Cochrane Reviews as an initial practice in coordination with Cochrane’s Translations Coordinator, while the Chinese Cochrane Centre decides overall strategy. A list of reviews are being translated using Smartling, and we are recruiting and training more volunteers.
Conclusions: Since 2007 we have successfully recruited and trained volunteers to assist in translating projects with Cochrane. The type of volunteer and training needed varies across projects. Information about these projects may benefit others involved in translation.