Triangulation refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources in qualitative research to develop a comprehensive understanding of phenomena (Patton, 1999). Triangulation also has been viewed as a qualitative research strategy to test validity through the convergence of information from different sources.
What are the benefits of triangulation in research?
- Triangulation confirms and validates the quality results using quantitative studies.
- By using multiple sources and methods inadequacies in one approach or process can be minimized.
- More insights can be obtained by using multiple methods.
- Inconsistencies can be recognized and removed.
What are the steps of qualitative data analysis?
The 5 steps to doing qualitative data analysis
- Gathering and collecting your qualitative data
- Organizing and connecting into your qualitative data
- Coding your qualitative data
- Analyzing the qualitative data for insights
- Reporting on the insights derived from your analysis
How to use triangulation?
- Make sure you have adjusted your compass correctly for declination in this area.
- Orient your map so map north is facing true north.
- Take a bearing to one landmark. ...
- Place your compass on the map so that the orienting lines are parallel to the map's north-south meridian lines.
What does triangulation mean in research?
Triangulation in research means using multiple datasets, methods, theories and/or investigators to address a research question. It’s a research strategy that can help you enhance the validity and credibility of your findings. Triangulation is mainly used in qualitative research, but it’s also commonly applied in quantitative research.
How do you triangulate data in qualitative research?
Data triangulation involves the use of different sources of data/information. A key strategy is to categorize each group or type of stakeholder for the program that you are evaluating. Then, be certain to include a comparable number of people from each stakeholder group in the evaluation study.
What is triangulation in qualitative research examples?
Theory triangulation involves using multiple theoretical models to study a particular phenomenon or issue. For example, a researcher may use two different psychological theories to explain the same phenomenon, such as competitive and cooperative behavior in dogs.
What is data triangulation in research?
Data triangulation is the use of a variety of data sources, including time, space and persons, in a study. Findings can be corroborated and any weaknesses in the data can be compensated for by the strengths of other data, thereby increasing the validity and reli- ability of the results.
Why is it important to triangulate the data in qualitative research?
Most often, triangulation helps validate research findings by checking that different methods or different observers of the same phenomenon produce the same results. It can also be used to interrogate inconsistencies and data that are not expected to align.
Which is the best example of triangulation in data gathering?
Answer» d. Collecting data from users in different ways with different methods.
What is an example of triangulation?
Examples. If a parent refuses to acknowledge their children's personality and individualism, and at the same time, siblings are treated very differently and discouraged from communicating with one another except through the parent, it's triangulation.
Why is data triangulation important?
Triangulation can help: Reduce research bias that comes from using a single method, theory, or investigator. Enhance validity by approaching the same topic with different tools. Establish credibility by giving you a complete picture of the research problem.
What are the steps of triangulation method?
Triangulation is a method for tessellation of domain....Three main steps of the algorithm are:Initialization,Triangulation,Finalization.
What is the most common type of triangulation?
Methodological Triangulation In the most widely-used type of triangulation the researcher off-sets the weaknesses of one method with the strengths of another as a means of improving the reliability and validity of their research.
Is triangulation qualitative or quantitative?
The triangulation combines qualitative and quantitative methods and complements those results to a comprehensive picture of the phenomenon under study. The approach has been used in some health studies, but has only scarcely been applied in demographic research.
What is triangulation structure?
Triangulation is the engineering practice of forming rigid triangles together with adequate fasteners at the joints. It typically involves the use of triangular shapes to give stability to structures.
What is the most common type of triangulation?
Methodological Triangulation In the most widely-used type of triangulation the researcher off-sets the weaknesses of one method with the strengths of another as a means of improving the reliability and validity of their research.
What is triangulation and why is it used in research?
Triangulation refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources in qualitative research to develop a comprehensive understanding of phenomena (Patton, 1999). Triangulation also has been viewed as a qualitative research strategy to test validity through the convergence of information from different sources.
How do you do triangulation?
In a few words, triangulation is using two or three landmarks in the terrain as reference points from which you can determine your location....Step 1: identify features in the terrain. ... Step 2: orient your map. ... Step 3: get bearings on each of your landmarks or features. ... Step 4: transfer your bearing to your map. ... Step 5: repeat.
What are the steps of triangulation method?
Triangulation is a method for tessellation of domain....Three main steps of the algorithm are:Initialization,Triangulation,Finalization.
What is triangulation in research?
Triangulation in research means using multiple datasets, methods, theories and/or investigators to address a research question. It’s a research st...
What are the types of triangulation?
There are four main types of triangulation : Data triangulation : Using data from different times, spaces, and people Investigator triangulation :...
What are the pros and cons of triangulation?
Triangulation can help: Reduce bias that comes from using a single method, theory, or investigator Enhance validity by approaching the same topic...
What is theoretical triangulation?
You could use theoretical triangulation, which means exploring and analyzing your data through different theoretical frameworks. Or, you could collect data from the same participants but at different times, though this approach might be less appealing if you are under a time crunch.
Does triangulation make sense for qualitative research?
While triangulation does not make sense for all qualitative designs, which may be the case for your own dissertation, try to view it as something that will enhance your understanding of your research, and be creative in how you choose to accomplish this.
Can you use triangulation in a dissertation?
If you are required to use triangulation in your dissertation study, you are not alone. While triangulation does not make sense for all qualitative designs, which may be the case for your own dissertation, try to view it as something that will enhance your understanding of your research, and be creative in how you choose to accomplish this.
What is the purpose of triangulation?
Researchers use triangulation for a more holistic perspective on a specific research question. Triangulation is also helpful for enhancing credibility and validity.
Pros and cons of triangulation in research
Like all research strategies, triangulation has both advantages and disadvantages.
Frequently asked questions about triangulation
Triangulation in research means using multiple datasets, methods, theories and/or investigators to address a research question. It’s a research strategy that can help you enhance the validity and credibility of your findings.
Pritha Bhandari
Pritha has an academic background in English, psychology and cognitive neuroscience. As an interdisciplinary researcher, she enjoys writing articles explaining tricky research concepts for students and academics.
What does data triangulation mean?
Data triangulation is where the researcher uses two or more methods for the verification of the findings and results.
Why use qualitative and quantitative methods?
Uses different qualitative and quantitative methods to check for consistency of the findings that are generated. If the different methods yield the same results then validity can be established. While this method is popular, it is time consuming to analyse the information yielded from the different methods.
Why do we need two or more methods in qualitative research?
The need to use two or more methods in order to obtain conclusive results in qualitative research can be justified from the fact that qualitative researchers are normally interested in investigating the “why” and “ how” aspects and a single method cannot explain every aspect of every phenomenon.
What is environmental triangulation?
Environmental triangulation. The use of Environmental triangulation is limited only to those studies where the findings can be influenced by certain environmental factors. This type of triangulation uses different settings, locations and other factors such as time ,day, season in which the study took place.
When a researcher uses only one method, do you have to believe that the findings are correct?
When a researcher uses only one method, you just have to believe that the findings are correct but when a researcher employs 2-3 methods to answer a single question, 2 out of the 3 may produce same results or all 3 of them may produce clashing results, the researcher than would either reframe the research question, reconsider the methods or do both the things.
What is qualitative research?
When applied to qualitative research this method may be defined as “ an attempt to map out and explain fully the richness and complexity of human behaviour by studying it from more than one stand point ” (Cohen and Manion 1986).
How many types of triangulation are there?
There are five different types of triangulation which will be explained briefly over here
What is triangulation of data?
A triangulation of the data (both quantitative and qualitative) is a technique that is normally employed for assessing study programs/curricula. Assessment or evaluation is not focused on finding the 'truth' but rather the 'worth' of a program. For this reason a triangulation of the data (3 sets) strengthens the validity of the evaluation studies whose findings may be adopted, or adapted accordingly in other schools or universities.
Why is multi source triangulation useful?
You are planning to use multiple sources to gather data using the same instrument ,this will help you to reduce common method biases. In case you need to investigate differential perspectives of the multiple sources regarding the phenomena ,under consideration-Multi source triangulation will be useful.
What is the objective of triangulation?
Though some of the authors believe that triangulation is validation of data trough different sources but many of them are of the view that the objective of triangulation is not the verification of validity of data but it is rather effort to collect data on different aspects of a phenomenon through different sources.
How many people can be in a focus group?
Depending on your research resources and the scope of your study, you could identify focus groups not less then 3 and not more than 12 people . You could create segments such as Female only group, Male only group, group of male and female, etc.
What does validation mean in research?
To the best of mine, Validation simply means matching one type of data (say suppose desk review/survey ) with other type of of data specially focusing on primary data (say suppose observation/interview) as to make the sources or data/research more authentic impact .
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Can you use more than one method in triangulation?
In triangulation we can use morethan one method to understand the phenomene very well .There are different methods in triangulation like Investigator triangulation, theory triangulation, methodological triangulation, environmental triangulation all have different purpose to check the validity and see the difference of opinion about the phenomena.Recently I have triangulate my qualitative and quantitative study and was very interesting experience.
What is triangulation in qualitative research?
Triangulation of data in qualitative research refers to the use of multiple data sources 1) to determine whether or not those data reinforce interpretations or contradict each other and/or 2) to get a fuller picture of the phenomenon of study. It's just a validity strategy. In mixed methods research, triangulation can occur using qualitative and quantitative data.
When was triangulation first used?
In qualitative research, the use of the term triangulation was introduced by Lincoln and Guba, 1985 . Their definition relied on the convergence of findings from two different methods to add credibility to the results.
What is triangulation in qualitative research?
Triangulation in qualitative research. “Triangulation” is a term that is frequently mentioned in publications of qualitative studies. Typically, scholars mention “triangulation” in discussions to do with how the “quality” or “validity” of a study might be assured (e.g., Seale, 1999; Tracy, 2010). Where did the term “triangulation” come from, ...
What is the history of triangulation?
Pelto (2017, p. 241) presents an intriguing history of triangulation which sources the concept from trigonometry, by way of surveying and mapping, through it’s use by quantitative researchers, to it’s redefinition and application in qualitative inquiry. According to Pelto, in the 1950s researchers began to use “triangulation” (defined as using more than one research method) as “an approach to assessing the validity and reliability of data-gathering methods in the social and behavioural sciences” (p. 242). Pelto (2017, pp. 242-243) explains that Campbell and Fiske (1959) published one of the first papers to advocate for “methodological triangulation” (Campbell & Fiske, 1959, p. 101) as an alternative approach to “the single operationalism now dominant in psychology” (p. 101) (italics in original).
Why is it important to use qualitative research?
It is important for researchers using qualitative designs and methods in their research to consider the limitations and benefits of their choice of methods. Qualitative researchers also need to consider what “quality” means for a study conducted using a particular research design (i.e., quality criteria for autoethnography, narrative inquiry, ...
What is methodological triangulation?
Methodological triangulation, or the use of multiple methods (both “within-method” and; “between-method” p. 295) in order to to “better unravel the processes under study” (p. 102).
When a research study yields not convergence on a single explanation, but data that supports inconsistent or contradictory?
17) asserts that the researchers need to “make sense of what we find.” In Mathison’s view, this moves “the focus on triangulation away from a technological solution for ensuring validity and places the responsibility with the researcher for the construction of plausible explanation about the pheno mena being studied” (p. 17).
When did researchers start using triangulation?
According to Pelto, in the 1950s researchers began to use “triangulation” (defined as using more than one research method) as “an approach to assessing the validity and reliability of data-gathering methods in the social and behavioural sciences” (p. 242). Pelto (2017, pp. 242-243) explains that Campbell and Fiske ...
Who wrote the research act?
The aforementioned paper by Campbell and Fiske (1959) is mentioned by Norman Denzin (1978) as a source of inspiration for his book The Research Act: A Theoretical Introduction to Sociological Methods.
What is qualitative data analysis software?
Qualitative data analysis software can help with all this, since you will have a lot of data to process in different and complementary ways. In software like Quirkos you can create levels, groups and clusters to keep different analysis stages together, and have quick ways to do sub-set analysis on data from just one method. Check out the features overview or mixed-method analysis with Quirkos for more information about how qualitative research software can help manage triangulation.
How to collect data from qualitative research?
Thus a project can collect data from the same or different participants using different methods, and use method or between-method triangulation to integrate them. Some qualitative techniques can be very complementary, for example semi-structured interviews can be combined with participant diaries or focus groups, to provide different levels of detail and voice. For example, what people share in a group discussion maybe less private than what they would reveal in a one-to-one interview, but in a group dynamic people can be reminded of issues they might forget to talk about otherwise.
What is qualitative research?
But with the exception of some case study research, most qualitative research will be designed to integrate insights from a variety of data sources, methods and interpretations to build a deep picture.
What are the parts of a research process that can be triangulated?
You can triangulate almost all the constituent parts of the research process: method, theory, data and investigator. Data triangulation, (also called participant or source triangulation) is probably the most common, where you try to examine data from different respondents but collected using the same method.
What is conversation analysis?
Conversation Analysis is used to understand the meanings of real language and how people really speak.
What is the term for a researcher trying to compare their own interpretations of data?
Finally there is ‘investigator triangulation’, where different researchers each conduct separate analysis of the data, and their different interpretations are reconciled or compared. In participatory analysis it’s also possible to have a kind of respondent triangulation, where a researcher is trying to compare their own interpretations of data with that of their respondents.
What is the purpose of theoretical triangulation?
In ‘theoretical triangulation’, a variety of different theories are used to interpret the data, such as discourse, narrative and context analysis, and these different ways of dissecting and illuminating the data are compared .
