At DataDrive2030, we are committed to strengthening the measurement of early learning outcomes across diverse contexts. A powerful example of this work in action is the use of the Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM) 4&5 in international research settings.
The ELOM 4&5 is currently being used in the PACO Study (Placentas, Antibodies, and Child Outcomes), led by Massachusetts General Hospital – the largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School – in partnership with Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda. This collaboration explores the intersection of maternal health and child development.
Deploying child assessment tools across languages and cultural contexts requires careful, high-quality translation processes to ensure validity and reliability. Importantly, no adaptation of the ELOM instrument itself was required. All assessment items remained unchanged and were translated directly into the language spoken by study participants.
For this study, a rigorous parallel translation approach was recommended. Two skilled translators independently translated the assessment protocols from English into Runyankore, followed by a collaborative review process in which differences were reconciled and final spoken protocols agreed upon. This approach helped preserve meaning, nuance, and conceptual equivalence across languages.
Equally important was ensuring that the translations were child-friendly and developmentally appropriate. To support this, the reviewed translation was subsequently assessed by a professional with expertise in child assessment and training on the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence). Their review ensured that the translated language was accessible and appropriate for young children.
This process aligns with international best practice, including the International Test Commission (ITC) Guidelines for Translating and Adapting Tests (e.g. ITC TD-2 (5)), which DataDrive2030 follows for all child assessment measures. These guidelines emphasise methodological rigour, cultural sensitivity, and iterative review.
The process also benefitted from practical validation during assessor training. Earlier this year, two Ugandan assessors were trained on the ELOM 4&5 instrument in Johannesburg. Their hands-on experience administering the tool in English during training enabled them to conduct a final review of the Runyankore translation, ensuring it functioned effectively in rural assessment settings.
This combination of methodological rigour, collaborative expertise, and field-based validation helps ensure that the ELOM 4&5 remains a robust and reliable tool when used in rural Uganda, capable of generating meaningful insights into early childhood development in complex research environments.
The use of ELOM 4&5 in global studies such as PACO underscores the importance of thoughtful translation processes in advancing equitable, high-quality data on child outcomes worldwide. Ultimately, this work contributes to identifying opportunities for interventions that can optimise child health and development across diverse contexts.
DataDrive2030 is proud to contribute to this important study and looks forward to a long-term and rewarding partnership with the highly skilled PACO study team.
