Triangulation is a method that uses multiple data sources to analyze programs and policies. It involves planning, data collection, analysis, and communicating results. Key steps include identifying questions, gathering different types of data, analyzing trends across data sets, developing and checking hypotheses, and generating recommendations. The process aims to improve decision making by demonstrating program impacts and areas for improvement.

1. What is Triangulation? “ Short-hand term” for synthesis and integrated analysis of data from multiple sources for program decision making A powerful tool that can be used to: Demonstrate program impact and areas of improvement Direct new programs and policy changes

2. Why Use Triangulation? Countries invest time and resources into collecting data and Strategic Information (SI): Patient tracking data: PMTCT & ARV program data Surveillance data: ANC sentinel surveys, DHS+, incidence testing Birth and deaths: Vital statistics Research studies: Quantitative & qualitative However: Too much data Information goes up but rarely comes back Data rarely examined side-by-side Analysis of data used for program planning and improvement, and policy-making is often overlooked

3. Triangulation Process Communicating Results Planning Triangulation Conducting Triangulation

4. Triangulation Part 1: Planning Present results and recommendations Outline next steps based on findings Communicating Triangulation Check hypotheses & identify additional data to be captured Summarize findings & draw conclusions Gather data/reports Observations from individual data sets Note trends across data sets & develop hypotheses Conducting Triangulation Identify sources & gather background information Refine research question (as needed) Identify key questions Ensure question is answerable/ actionable Planning for Triangulation What steps are involved? Which part of the process?

5. Triangulation Part 1: Planning Stakeholder Involvement Interest from country Meet with stakeholders Develop In-country Working Team Question Identification Identify key questions of interest Identify data sources Refine research question(s) Present results and recommendations Outline next steps based on findings Communicating Triangulation Check hypotheses & identify additional data to be captured Summarize findings & draw conclusions Gather data/reports Observations from individual data sets Note trends across data sets & develop hypotheses Conducting Triangulation Identify sources & gather background information Refine research question (as needed) Identify key questions Ensure question is answerable/ actionable Planning for Triangulation What steps are involved? Which part of the process?

6. Triangulation Part 2: Conducting Data Collection Point person to work in-country to gather data Collect all data possible Hypothesis Development Make observations within data sets and across data sets Note trends Develop hypotheses to answer key questions Hypothesis Checking Note evidence that supports or refutes Identify and gather more data, as needed Choose promising hypotheses Present results and recommendations Outline next steps based on findings Communicating Triangulation Check hypotheses & identify additional data to be captured Summarize findings & draw conclusions Gather data/reports Observations from individual data sets Note trends across data sets & develop hypotheses Conducting Triangulation Identify sources & gather background information Refine research question (as needed) Identify key questions Ensure question is answerable/ actionable Planning for Triangulation What steps are involved? Which part of the process?

7. Triangulation Part 3: Communicating Summation of Findings Develop report of methods and findings Next Steps Identify any existing data to fill gaps Identify research needed to fill gaps Application Recommend policy &/or program changes Present results and recommendations Outline next steps based on findings Communicating Triangulation Check hypotheses & identify additional data to be captured Summarize findings & draw conclusions Gather data/reports Observations from individual data sets Note trends across data sets & develop hypotheses Conducting Triangulation Identify sources & gather background information Refine research question (as needed) Identify key questions Ensure question is answerable/ actionable Planning for Triangulation What steps are involved? Which part of the process?

8. Botswana example: Narrowing Key Questions Final Question(s) Key Questions 16 9 2 Important Actionable Data Available Method Appropriate Feasible Key Questions

9. Triangulation at IGH: What We Do Conduct triangulation analyses Generate report of findings, recommendations and next steps eg: Botswana Case Study: http://www.who. int/entity/hiv/pub/casestudies/evaluation/en/index .html Malawi Analysis and Case Study (under review) Build capacity through in-country collaboration Joint analyses between UCSF and in-country partners Practicum-based training using country data and country analyses On-going mentoring with local collaborators to assure a transfer of skills and capacity www.igh.org

10. Capacity Building Activities Total Triangulation Analysis and Training duration is four to six months Initial Stakeholder meeting Stakeholders introduced to methodology. Group collaboratively defines area of study and question for triangulation analysis Task-Force of national technical representatives created to guide triangulation Capture of Data Twinning with local collaborating researcher for in-country data-collation work Analysis Joint analysis with local collaborating researchers (long distance, in-country, or in San Francisco depending on capacity, budget, and schedule) Ongoing consultation and review by Task-Force Training Workshop For Task-Force members and selected technical personnel from national and provincial offices Emphasis on practicum-based approach using own-country data. Participants independently recreate & refine triangulation analyses Final Stakeholder Meeting Presentation of findings to collaborators, informed by ideas and feedback of training workshop, jointly led by local collaborating researchers