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Article published In: Translation, Cognition & Behavior
Vol. 8:1 (2025) ► pp.121–141

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Shedding light on stress in interpreting studies

How to elicit accurate insights from EDA data

ORCiD logo with link | Queen’s University BelfastBelfast
ORCiD logo with link | Queen’s University BelfastBelfast
Published online: 2 December 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/tcb.25015.wan
Abstract
This article investigated the viability of using electrodermal activity (EDA) in interpreting studies to understand stress and provided guidance for research design and analysis. Considering that EDA interpreting studies are still rare, we introduced EDA basics that are relevant to our field and offered suggestions about how to use EDA-related terms precisely and consistently to help standardize the nomenclature in our field. Discussion has been made about how to select appropriate EDA measures and specific parameters for different interpreting contexts to help future studies align EDA measures and specific parameters with research design. We also offered concrete suggestions about research design and implementation to help future studies accurately obtain EDA signals.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.EDA Basics
    • 2.1Key terms and concepts related to EDA
    • 2.2EDA’s suitability for measuring interpreters’ stress
    • 2.3EDA recording devices
  • 3.Choosing EDA measures and parameters for interpreter stress measurement
    • 3.1The classification of interpreting stress triggers: Discrete stimulus or continuous stimulus?
    • 3.2Selecting appropriate EDA measures and parameters for continuous stimuli
    • 3.3Selecting appropriate EDA measures and parameters for discrete stimuli
  • 4.Suggestions for research design and implementation
    • 4.1Choosing the appropriate environment for the interpreting experiment
    • 4.2Giving the participant adequate breaks during the experiment
    • 4.3The selection of baseline conditions
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Disclosure Statement
  • References
References (39)
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