A Spanish Adaptation of the Computer and Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaires (CPQ and MDPQ) for Older Adults

Background New technologies provide opportunities for the delivery of broad, flexible interventions with older adults. Focus groups were conducted to: (1) understand older adults’ familiarity with, and barriers to, interacting with new technologies and tablets; and (2) utilize user-engagement in refining an intervention protocol. Methods Eighteen older adults (65–76 years old; 83.3% female) who were novice tablet users participated in discussions about their perceptions of and barriers to interacting with tablets. We conducted three separate focus groups and used a generic qualitative design applying thematic analysis to analyse the data. The focus groups explored attitudes toward tablets and technology in general. We also explored the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using tablets, familiarity with, and barriers to interacting with tablets. In two of the focus groups, participants had previous computing experience (e.g., desktop), while in the other, participants had no previous computing experience. None of the participants had any previous experience with tablet computers. Results The themes that emerged were related to barriers (i.e., lack of instructions and guidance, lack of knowledge and confidence, health-related barriers, cost); disadvantages and concerns (i.e., too much and too complex technology, feelings of inadequacy, and comparison with younger generations, lack of social interaction and communication, negative features of tablets); advantages (i.e., positive features of tablets, accessing information, willingness to adopt technology); and skepticism about using tablets and technology in general. After brief exposure to tablets, participants emphasized the likelihood of using a tablet in the future. Conclusions Our findings suggest that most of our participants were eager to adopt new technology and willing to learn using a tablet. However, they voiced apprehension about lack of, or lack of clarity in, instructions and support. Understanding older adults’ perceptions of technology is important to assist with introducing it to this population and maximize the potential of technology to facilitate independent living.

Adapting tests across cultures is a common practice that has increased in all evaluation areas in recent years. We live in an increasingly multicultural and multilingual world in which the tests are used to support decision-making in the educational, clinical, organizational and other areas, so the adaptation of tests becomes a necessity. The main goal of this paper is to present the second edition of the guidelines of the International Test Commission (ITC) for adapting tests across cultures. A task force of six international experts reviewed the original guidelines proposed by the International Test Commission, taking into account the advances and developments of the field. As a result of the revision this new edition consists of twenty guidelines grouped into six sections: Precondition, test development, confirmation, administration, score scales and interpretation, and document. The different sections are reviewed, and the possible sources of error influencing the tests translation and adaptation analyzed. Twenty guidelines are proposed for translating and adapting tests across cultures. Finally we discuss the future perspectives of the guidelines in relation to the new developments in the field of psychological and educational assessment.