Triangulation in research [Meaning, Types, Examples]

Research Tube

10 Jan 202105:43

Summary

TLDRThis video offers an insightful overview of triangulation, a pivotal concept in qualitative research. Triangulation enhances study validity by employing diverse methods and data sources. It encompasses methods, investigator, theory, data source, and data analysis triangulation, each contributing unique perspectives and ensuring robust findings. The video elucidates how combining various research techniques, involving multiple researchers, and utilizing different theories can lead to a comprehensive understanding of phenomena, thus enriching qualitative studies.

Takeaways

🔍 Triangulation in qualitative research refers to using multiple methods or data sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.
📈 It is used to increase the validity and ensure the quality of a study by confirming findings through various means.
👥 Methods triangulation involves using different data collection methods, such as interviews, observations, pictures, and field notes, for the same phenomenon.
🤝 Investigator triangulation is achieved by having multiple researchers participate in the same study to corroborate findings.
📚 Theory triangulation employs different theoretical perspectives to analyze and interpret data, testing competing theories against each other.
🌐 Data source triangulation gathers data from diverse sources like families, groups, and communities to obtain multiple perspectives on the same issue.
🕒 Time and space are also considered in triangulation, suggesting data collection at different times or locations for a more robust analysis.
🔄 Data analysis triangulation uses different analytical approaches, such as inductive and deductive methods, to draw conclusions and validate theories.
🔄 Method triangulation can be within a single method (e.g., using multiple qualitative methods) or across methods (combining qualitative and quantitative methods).
🌟 Convergence is an approach to triangulation where evidence from different sources and methods leads to a single proposition about a social phenomenon.

Q & A

What is triangulation in qualitative research?
-Triangulation in qualitative research refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of the phenomena being studied, thereby increasing the validity and ensuring the quality of the research.
Why is triangulation important in research?
-Triangulation is important because it helps to increase the validity of research by ensuring the quality of the study through the use of various methods and data sources, which can corroborate findings and provide a more robust understanding of the research subject.
What are the different types of triangulation mentioned in the script?
-The script mentions four types of triangulation: methods triangulation, investigator triangulation, theory triangulation, and data source triangulation.
How does methods triangulation work?
-Methods triangulation involves using multiple methods of data collection about the same phenomenon, such as interviews, observations, pictures, and field notes, to gather data from various angles.
What is investigator triangulation and how does it contribute to research?
-Investigator triangulation includes the participation of two or more researchers in the same study to bring up the apparent truth or confirm the findings, enhancing the credibility of the research through multiple perspectives.
Can you explain theory triangulation and provide an example?
-Theory triangulation refers to the use of different theories to analyze and interpret data. For example, Singer used three different theories in his research on why first-born children were more adult-oriented than later-born children, devising a result strategy to test each of the competing theories.
What is data source triangulation and why is it used?
-Data source triangulation involves collecting data from different types of people, including families, groups, and communities, to get multiple perspectives of the same phenomenon, which helps to confirm findings and provide a more comprehensive view.
How does data analysis triangulation contribute to research?
-Data analysis triangulation involves using different approaches of analysis for the same data, such as inductive (drawing findings from specific to general) and deductive (using data to test existing theories), to validate and enrich the research findings.
What are the two ways Denzin classified triangulation?
-Denzin classified triangulation into within-method triangulation, where multiple qualitative methods are used, and between or across-method triangulation, where both qualitative and quantitative methods are used.
What is Sandra Matheson's view on triangulation?
-Sandra Matheson outlined an alternative way of conceptualizing triangulation as convergence, where data from different sources, use of different methods, participation of more than one investigator, and so on, will produce evidence that results in a single proposition about some social phenomena.
How does the use of multiple methods and researchers contribute to research according to Natto's review?
-Natto, after reviewing qualitative articles, reported that nine articles used convergence, such as the use of multiple methods and involving multiple researchers at the same time, to enhance the validity and comprehensiveness of their research.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Triangulation in Qualitative Research

The video begins with an introduction to triangulation, a vital concept in qualitative research. Triangulation is defined as the use of multiple methods or data sources to achieve a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon. It is employed to enhance the validity and quality of research. The speaker outlines different types of triangulation: methods triangulation, investigator triangulation, theory triangulation, data source triangulation, and data analysis triangulation. Methods triangulation involves using various data collection methods like interviews, observations, and field notes. Investigator triangulation is about multiple researchers participating in the same study to confirm findings. Theory triangulation uses different theories to interpret data. Data source triangulation collects data from diverse groups for multiple perspectives. Data analysis triangulation employs different analysis approaches, such as inductive and deductive methods. The speaker also mentions within-method triangulation, using multiple qualitative methods, and between-method triangulation, combining qualitative and quantitative methods.

05:02

🔍 Triangulation in Practice: A Review of Qualitative Articles

In the second paragraph, the speaker discusses a review conducted by Natto, which analyzed qualitative articles and found that nine of them utilized convergence as a form of triangulation. Convergence involves using multiple methods and researchers to achieve a unified proposition about a social phenomenon. The speaker concludes by inviting viewers to share their experiences with different types of triangulation in qualitative studies, highlighting the practical application and discussion of triangulation in the research community.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Triangulation

Triangulation in qualitative research refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources to enhance the validity and comprehensiveness of the study. It is a core concept in the video, as it is the central theme around which the entire discussion revolves. The script explains that triangulation can be achieved through various means such as methods, investigators, theories, data sources, and data analysis, all aiming to ensure the quality of research findings.

💡Validity

Validity in the context of the video pertains to the accuracy and truthfulness of the research findings. It is mentioned as a key reason for using triangulation, as it helps to ensure that the results of a study are reliable and credible. The script emphasizes that employing multiple methods or perspectives can strengthen the validity of qualitative research.

💡Methods Triangulation

Methods triangulation is one of the types of triangulation discussed in the video. It involves using different data collection methods, such as interviews, observations, pictures, and field notes, to study the same phenomenon. The script gives an example of this by mentioning how different methods can be merged to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the research subject.

💡Investigator Triangulation

Investigator triangulation is another type of triangulation highlighted in the video. It involves multiple researchers participating in the same study to bring out the apparent truth or confirm the findings. The script illustrates this with an example of a study on Russian elite perspectives, where researchers and local associates conducted interviews, and the team members checked and supplemented the interview transcripts.

💡Theory Triangulation

Theory triangulation is the use of different theoretical frameworks to analyze and interpret data within a study. The video script explains that this approach can help in devising a result strategy to test competing theories, as exemplified by Singer's study on the adult orientation of first-born children, where he used three different theories.

💡Data Source Triangulation

Data source triangulation involves collecting data from different types of people, such as families, groups, and communities, to gain multiple perspectives on the same phenomenon. The video script references Denzin's work, which outlines the importance of considering time, space, or location when analyzing data, suggesting that data can be collected at different times or locations to confirm findings.

💡Data Analysis Triangulation

Data analysis triangulation is the use of different approaches for analyzing the same data set. The video script explains that this can include inductive methods, where findings and concepts are drawn from the data, and deductive methods, where data is used to test existing theories and concepts. This approach allows researchers to draw results from specific instances to general conclusions while also consulting existing theories for validation.

💡Within-Method Triangulation

Within-method triangulation is a classification of triangulation mentioned in the video, where multiple qualitative methods are used to gather data. The script provides the example of using both interviews and observations to collect data, which can then be analyzed to provide a more robust understanding of the research topic.

💡Between-Method Triangulation

Between-method triangulation, also known as across-method triangulation, is another classification discussed in the video. It involves using both qualitative and quantitative methods in a study. The script mentions that it is common to see qualitative interviews analyzed alongside surveys, electoral data, economic data, and public opinion polls, which are quantitative in nature.

💡Convergence

Convergence in the context of the video refers to the process where data from different sources, methods, or investigators are used to produce evidence that supports a single proposition about a social phenomenon. The script mentions that Sandra Matheson outlined this concept of triangulation, emphasizing how the use of multiple methods and investigators can lead to a unified understanding of the research subject.

💡Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is the broader field within which triangulation is discussed in the video. It is a type of research that focuses on understanding social phenomena through the collection of non-numerical data. The script explains that triangulation is an important concept in qualitative research because it helps to enhance the depth and breadth of understanding and interpretation of the data collected.

Highlights

Introduction to the concept of triangulation in qualitative research.

Triangulation refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.

Triangulation is used to increase the validity and ensure the quality of a study.

Explanation of methods triangulation, which involves using multiple methods of data collection about the same phenomenon.

Examples of methods triangulation include interviews, observations, pictures, and field notes.

Investigator triangulation involves the participation of two or more researchers to confirm findings and enhance truth.

Theory triangulation refers to using different theories to analyze and interpret the same data.

Data source triangulation involves collecting data from different groups, communities, or individuals to gain multiple perspectives on the same phenomenon.

Denzin highlighted the importance of considering time and space when using data source triangulation.

Data analysis triangulation uses different approaches like inductive and deductive methods for the same data.

Within-method triangulation refers to using multiple qualitative methods, like interviews and observation, to gather data.

Between-method triangulation combines both qualitative and quantitative methods in research.

Sandra Matheson outlined an alternative way to conceptualize triangulation through convergence of data from different sources.

Natto reviewed qualitative articles and found that many used convergence through multiple methods and researchers.

Conclusion: A summary of the triangulation concept and its application in qualitative research.