Triangulations as a Qualitative Research Strategy

8/2/2019 Triangulations as a Qualitative Research Strategy

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Triangulations as a QualitativeResearch Strategy

Dr Saharnaz Nedjat


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Goals For Today Why do we conduct Triangulation? Types of Triangulation


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Definition Triangulation is an approach toresearch that uses a combination of

more than one research strategy in asingle investigation.


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Campbell and Fiske were the first to apply thenavigational term triangulation to research. Themetaphor is a good one because a phenomenonunder study in a qualitative research project ismuch like a ship at sea. The exact description ofthe phenomenon is unclear.

The goal in choosing different strategies in thesame study is to balance them so each

counterbalances the margin of error in the other.


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Choosing Triangulation as aResearch Strategy

Qualitative investigators may choosetriangulation as a research strategy

to assure completeness of findings orto confirm findings.


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assure completeness The most accurate description of theelephant comes from a combination

of all three individuals' descriptions.


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confirm findings Researchers might also choose triangulation toconfirm findings and conclusions. Any singlequalitative research strategy has its limitations.

By combining different strategies, researchers

confirm findings by overcoming the limitations ofa single strategy. Uncovering the same information from more than

one vantage point helps researchers describe howthe findings occurred under different

circumstances and assists them to confirm thevalidity of the findings.


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Types of Triangulation 1) Data Triangulation Time, space, person

2) Method Triangulation Design Data collection

3) Investigator Triangulation 4) Theory Triangulation Fifth type, multiple triangulation, which uses a

combination of two or more triangulationtechniques in one study.


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DATA TRIANGUIATION

Denzin (1989) described three typesof data triangulation: (1) time, (2)

space, and (3) person.


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Time triangulation time triangulation, researchers collectdata about a phenomenon at differentpoints in time.

Studies based on longitudinal designs arenot considered examples of datatriangulation for time because they are

intended to document changes over time.


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Space triangulation

Space triangulation consists of collectingdata at more than one site.

At the outset, the researcher mustidentify how time or space relate to thestudy and make an argument supportingthe use of different time or space

collection points in the study.


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By collecting data at different points intime and in different spaces, theresearcher gains a clearer and morecomplete description of decision makingand is able to differentiatecharacteristics that span time periods and

spaces from characteristics specific tocertain times and spaces.


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person triangulation Using person triangulation,researchers collect data from more

than one level of person, that is, aset of individuals, groups, orcollectives.


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Researchers might also discover datathat are dissimilar among levels. In

such a case, researchers wouldcollect additional data to resolve theincongruence.


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2) Method Triangulation Design

Data collection

3) Investigator Triangulation 4) Theory Triangulation


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METHODS TRIANGULATION

Methods triangulation can occur at thelevel of design or data collection.

Methods triangulation at the design levelhas also been called between-methodtriangulation and methods triangulation atthe data collection level has been called

within-method triangulation.


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Design Level Design methods triangulation most oftenuses quantitative methods combined withqualitative methods in the study design.

simultaneous implementation sequential implementation Theory should emerge from the qualitative

findings and should not be forced byresearchers into the theory they are usingfor the quantitative portion of the study.


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The blending of qualitative andquantitative approaches does not occurduring either data generation or analysis.

Rather, researchers blend theseapproaches at the level of interpretation,merging findings from each technique to

derive a consistent outcome.


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The process of merging findings "isan informed thought process,

involvingjudgment, wisdom,creativity, and insight and includesthe privilege of creating or modifyingtheory.


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lf contradictory findings emerge orresearchers find negative cases, the

investigators most likely will need tostudy the phenomenon further.


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Sometimes triangulation design methodmight use two different qualitativeresearch methods.

When researchers combine methods atthe design level, they should consider thepurpose of the research and make a logical

argument for using each method.


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methods triangulation at

the level of data collection Using methods triangulation at the level of datacollection, researchers use two differenttechniques of data collection, but each techniqueis within the same research tradition.

The purpose of combining the data collectionmethods is to provide a more holistic and betterunderstanding of the phenomenon under study.

It is not an easy task to use method triangulation;

it is often more time consuming and expensive tocomplete a study using methods triangulation.


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2) Method Triangulation Design

Data collection


E


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INVESTIGATORTRIANGULATION

Investigator triangulation occurs when two or moreresearchers with divergent backgrounds and expertise worktogether on the same study. To achieve investigatortriangulation, multiple investigators each must haveprominent roles in the study and their areas of expertise

must be complementary. All the investigators discuss their individual findings andreach a conclusion, which includes all findings.

Having a second research expert examine a data set is notconsidered investigator triangulation.

Use of methods triangulation usually requires investigator

triangulation because few investigators are expert in morethan one research method.


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2) Method Triangulation Design Data collection



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THEORY TRIANGULATION

Theory triangulation incorporates the use of morethan one lens or theory in the analysis of thesame data set.

In qualitative research, more than one theoreticalexplanation emerges from the data. Researchers investigate the utility and power of

these emerging theories by cycling between datageneration and data analysis until they reach a

conclusion.


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Summary Triangulation can be a useful tool forqualitative as well as quantitative

researchers. Used with care, it contributes to thecompleteness and confirmation of

findings necessary in qualitativeresearch investigations.

Triangulations as a Qualitative Research Strategy

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