Translation into another language to enable understanding (of concepts or phenomena) is a basic cultural technique and a prerequisite for international research. Translation decisions inevitably shape the research process and output for qualitative researchers relying on interview or textual data. Decisions need to be made in all stages of the research process from conception and data generation through data analysis and interpretation to final publication. In scientific publications, these decisions are rarely made transparent. This article focusses on the challenges of translation and the necessity to explicate the range of translation decisions in qualitative research. We propose a systematic framework with a foundation of generic queries to emphasize the omnipresence and importance of translation decisions in research as well as the latter's contribution to scientific rigor. The framework provides clear guidance for EAL (English as Additional Language) researchers preparing their translation decisions and for reviewers evaluating qualitative research involving translation.