ONE OF THE RESEARCH METHOD TO STUDY

1. TRIANGULATION
METHOD
By
Jasmine . J

2. DEFINITION
• Triangulation is an attempt to map out , explain more fully, the richness and
complexity human behavior by studying it from more than one stand point.
COHEN AND MANIAN
Triangulation is a method of cross checking data from multiple sources to
search for regularities in the research data.
O’ DONOGHUE

3. TRIANGULATION IN QUANTITATIVE
STUDY
• In a quantitative study, this might mean having multiple operational
definitions of a dependent variable to determine whether predicted effects
are consistent.

4. TRIANGULATION IN QULITATIVE
STUDY
• In a qualitative study, triangulation might involve trying to understand the full
complexity of a poorly understood phenomenon by using multiple means of
data collection to converge on the truth.

5. BENIFITS
• Additional sources of information often give more insight into a topic
• Inadequacies found in one-source data is minimized when multiple sources
confirm the same data
• Multiple sources provide verification and validity while complementing
similar data

6. CONT....
• More comprehensive data is obtained
• Data and information is supported in multiple places/types of research,
which makes it easier to analyze data to draw conclusions and outcomes
• Inconsistencies in data sets are more easily recognized

7. TYPES
• Data Triangulation
• Investigator Triangulation
• Method Triangulation
• Theoretical Triangulation
• Multiple Triangulation

8. DATA TRIANGULATION
• Denzin described three types of data triangulation
Time
Space
Person

9. TIME TRIANGULATION
• Researchers collect data about a phenomenon at different point in time.
• E.g Time of the day, day of the week and month of the year.

10. SPACE TRIANGULATION
• Space triangulation consists of collecting data at more than one site.

11. PERSON TRIANGULATION
• Researches collect data from more than one level of person, that is a set of
individuals, groups or collectives.
• Groups can be dyads, families or circumscribed groups.
• Collectives are communities, organization or societies.
• Investigator choose the various levels of a person relevant to the study.

12. INVESTIGATOR TRIANGULATION
• Investigator triangulation occurs when two or more researches with divergent
backgrounds and expertise work together on a same study.
• Multiple investigator each must have prominent roles in the study, and their
areas of expertise must be complementary.
• Use of methods triangulation usually requires investigator triangulation.

13. Methodological Research
 Researchers use methodological triangulation when they incorporate two or
more research methods in one investigation
 It occurs at the level of design or data collection
 At the design level it is called Between Method Triangulation
 At the data collection level it is called Within Method Triangulation

14. Cont....
• Design methods triangulation most often uses quantitative methods
combined with qualitative methods
 Researchers should consider the purpose of the research and they should
decide whether the question calls for simultaneous or sequential
implementation of the two method
 If they choose simultaneous implementation they will use the qualitative and
quantitative method simultaneously.

15. Cont...
• In a sequential implementation they will complete one method first , then
based on findings of the first technique plan and implement the 2nd
technique.
.

16. Theoretical triangulation
• It incorporates the use of more than one lens or theory in the analysis of
the same data set.
• In a quantitative study researchers identify two theories a priori and article
rival hypotheses.

17. CONT...
• Through the investigation, the researchers test and compare the rival
theories.
• The result might be accepting one theory over the other or merging the
theories to farm a new and more comprehensive theory.
• Researchers investigate the utility and power of these emerging theories by
cycling between data generation and data analysis until they reach a
conclusion.

18. MULTIPLE TRIANGULATION
 It is the use of more than one method of triangulation in a single study.
 Luise and Russo used this method to describe
nurses, spiritual perspectives as they relate to
education and practice.
 It included two data sources, two methodological approaches and none
investigators.

19. TYPES
TYPES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
DATA
TRIANGULATION
 Extensive data
 Data convergence and
divergence
 Increased confidence in
the research data
 Creative, innovative ways
of phenomena
 False interpretation due
to overwhelming amount
of data
 Difficulty dealing with
vast amounts of data
 Fitting qualitative data
into quantitative mode

20. TYPES
TYPES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
INVESTIGATOR
TRIANGULATION
 Expertise of more
than one researcher
in more than one
methodology
 Decreased potential
for bias
 Increased credibility
of findings
 Investigator bias
 Disruptive during
interview
 Potential
disharmony based
on investigator
biasis

21. Types
TYPES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
METHOD
TRIANGULATIO
N
 Exposing different types
of information that
contribute to overall
understanding of the
research problem
 Unique findings
 Adds to confusion if
conflicts due to
theoretical
frameworks
 Lack of
understanding as to
why triangulation
strategies were used

22. Summary
• Triangulation can be a useful tool for qualitative as well as
quantitative researches.
• It contributes to the completeness and conformation of findings
necessary in qualitative research investigations.
• As researchers, plan and carry out investigations, they should
strive to provide the most complete understanding
• They should complete gaps in data using methods and data
triangulation

23. CONT....
• Nursing phenomena are complex and multifaceted
• Rarely one research method will provide complete understandings.
• Triangulation will help to ensure that the researchers implement each method
according to its requirement

24. CONCLUSION
• In our efforts to understand our world around us we recognize many
technical barriers, but we use the best methods we can.
• By inquiring more carefully about what the data mean, we can also bridge
gaps between the research culture of those commited to varifying types of
methods