1. The document outlines a plan to adopt source triangulation as a research methodology for a thesis proposal. It discusses analyzing primary and secondary documents, conducting structured and unstructured interviews with key individuals, and comparing findings from different sources. 2. Source triangulation involves using multiple data sources to study a research question in order to increase confidence in findings. It can provide different perspectives and reveal unique insights. However, sources may be biased in the same way or have divergent validity threats. 3. The document recommends triangulating data sources, observers, theories, and methods to overcome weaknesses while also considering advantages and disadvantages when developing a research proposal.

1. Name :Name : Dang Fareeha binti Abd SamadDang Fareeha binti Abd Samad
NurzlinaNurzlina
Subject :Subject : Research MethodologyResearch Methodology
AUGG 6170AUGG 6170
Outline a plan to adopt source triangulation as a research
methodology in the formulation of a thesis proposal; be
mindful of potential pitfalls in doing so.

2. IntroductionIntroduction
Source triangulation refers to the use of more than
one source to the investigation of a research question
in order to enhance confidence in the ensuing findings.
According to Runeson and Höst , using the
triangulation method by taking different angles towards
the studied object will provide a broader picture.
Runeson and Höst also defined four different types of
triangulation as follows:
 Data (Source) triangulation
 Observer triangulation
 Methodological triangulation
 Theory triangulation
• By using all these sources in the research, leads to the
a good research conclusion.

3. Source TriangulationSource Triangulation

4. In the purpose to adopt source
triangulation as a research methodology
of a thesis proposals, three main activities
were undertaken :
1. Documents analysis
2. Conducting interviews
3. Gathering result and findings
Plan to Adopts SourcePlan to Adopts Source
TriangulationTriangulation

5. Plan to Adopts SourcePlan to Adopts Source
TriangulationTriangulation
Documents Analysis
1. Primary Documents (first hand events)
 Think tank reports (CPPS, MSRC, IDEAS etc)
 Government statements or records including minutes,
letters, emails and diaries.
 Numerical records such as census data or statistical data.
 Current media interviews with governments officials
 Newspapers articles
1. Secondary Documents (after the events)
 Books by authors
 Journals articles by authors, academician etc

6. Plan to Adopts SourcePlan to Adopts Source
TriangulationTriangulation
Conducting Interviews
1.Interviewing is a technique of gathering data from
respondent by asking them questions and getting
them to react verbally.
2.The interviews with key individuals such as
ministers, government staffs, or other relevant
actors.
3.Two types of interview :
o Structured Interviews
o Unstructured Interviews
Gathering Results and Findings
1.Results from documents analysis and interviews will be
compared to see if similar findings were gain.

7. Advantages of using SourceAdvantages of using Source
TriangulationTriangulation
 Multiple data sources may also confront researchers
with different perspectives concerning the same
subject.
 “increasing confidence in research data, creating
innovative ways of understanding a phenomenon,
revealing unique findings, challenging or integrating
theories, and providing a clearer understanding of the
problem” (Thurmond, 2001, p. 254).
 Triangulation can also be achieved by using different
research techniques. Triangulated techniques are helpful
for cross-checking and used to provide confirmation
and completeness, which brings balance between two
or more different types of research.

8. ThThe Pitfalls of Sourcee Pitfalls of Source
TriangulationTriangulation
The possibility that sources gathered were
biases in the same direction or perhaps by
different factors.
Different sources carry divergent or unmatched
threats to validity. Triangulation was associated
with a likelihood of making error – which
denies the absolute certainty.
Difficult to meet the requirement that the
different sources of information are
independent of one another.

9. ConclusionConclusion
By combining multiple observers, theories,
methods, and empirical materials, researchers can
hope to overcome the weakness or biasness and
the problems that come from single-method,
single-observer, single-theory studies.
Often the purpose of triangulation in specific
contexts is to obtain confirmation of findings
through different perspectives. The point at which
the perspectives that is centralize is seen to
represent reality.
Quite simply, triangulation is a useful tool to use in
research, but one should consider the advantages
and disadvantages before apply it in research
proposal.

10. ReferenceReference
 Creswell, J. (1998). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and
mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 Creswell, J. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design,
Thousand Oaks: Sage
 Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods (3rd
ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 Thurmond, V. (2001). The point of triangulation. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 33(3), 254–256.
 Bryman, A. 2004 (second edition), Social Research Methods,
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
 Taylor-powell, Ellen. (1996). Collecting Evaluation Data : An
Overview of Sources and Methods. (June).
 Russell, Bertrand. (1951). Evaluating Information : Validity,
Reliability , Accuracy and Triangulation. (1966), 79-99.
 Guion, Lisa A, Diehl, David C, Mcdonald, Debra. (2011).
Triangulation : Establishing the Validity of Qualitative Studies. 2-4.
 ' Triangulation ' Research Method as the Tool of Social Science
Research