Background The use of focus groups to collect data has increased in nursing research and provides rich, in-depth understanding of a phenomenon that can inform clinical practice. Guidance has been developed on facilitating focus groups. However, there is little guidance about how to translate, analyse or present focus group data from countries with linguistic differences.

Aim To explore contemporary examples of translating, analysing and presenting focus group data from countries with linguistic differences and to provide an in-depth example of decision-making in a study involving focus group data from two countries.

Discussion The study highlights the need for a clear rationale and transparency in the reporting of the translation, analysis and presentation of data. Detailed and transparent reporting needs to include not only translation, but also when this occurred and if the data were amalgamated.

Conclusion There is a need for evidence-based guidance concerning how to report the translation, transcription and analysis of focus group data from countries with linguistic differences.

Implications for practice The authors provide recommendations concerning information that researchers should provide about translation when publishing studies, and argue for the use of a bilingual lead researcher.