Triangulation in research design is a method that helps cross-verify data through multiple perspectives, making the data more valid and reliable. Originating from navigational practices, where multiple points are used to locate an exact position, triangulation in research adopts a similar principle to ensure comprehensive and credible findings.
There are four main types of triangulation: data triangulation, investigator triangulation, theory triangulation, and methodological triangulation. Each type has its advantages and can be applied individually or in combination, depending on the research needs.
- Data triangulation involves using different data sources at various times or places. For example, a study on workplace culture might gather data from employees at different levels, from various departments, and over several months.
- Investigator triangulation engages multiple researchers to interpret the data independently.
- In theory, triangulation of multiple theoretical frameworks is employed to interpret the data.
- Methodological triangulation uses different data collection methods, such as interviews, surveys, and observations, to corroborate findings.
There are numerous advantages of triangulation. Triangulation improves the credibility of research findings, giving a comprehensive understanding of the research problem. It also limits the reliance on a single method.
However, triangulation also has some disadvantages. It can be quite time-consuming and resource-heavy, demanding meticulous planning and coordination. Additionally, conflicting data sources can complicate analysis, sometimes leading to unclear conclusions.
Despite these challenges, using triangulation methods in research can help researchers and data analysts develop a holistic study, making triangulation essential for reliable, bias-free research.
List of recommended resources #
For a broad overview
Triangulation in Research | Guide, Types, Examples
This blog post on Scribbr gives an overview of the research strategy of triangulation, its different types and purposes, as well as its pros and cons in mixed-methods research.
This chapter from An Introduction to Research Methods for Undergraduate Health Profession Students gives a broad overview of the mixed-methods research technique of triangulation and how it can be used to validate and reinforce the research results by providing multiple perspectives on the same phenomenon and identifying areas of discrepancies or complexities.
For in depth understanding
Doing Triangulation and Mixed Methods
This book by Uwe Flick elucidates on how to use triangulation as a strategy of quality management, along with using it as an approach to designing and doing qualitative research in a more comprehensive way. Flick connects triangulation with current debates about using mixed methods, and outlines their potential for extending qualitative research.
Principles, Scope, and Limitations of the Methodological Triangulation
This paper by María Mercedes Arias Valencia gives an in-depth understanding of methodological triangulation as well as the principles underlying its use, potentiality and scope, advances and limitations, and some alternative proposals to surpass them.
Case study
Influence of COVID-19 on Female Sex Workers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A Mixed-Methods Analysis
This study investigates how the landscape of sex work in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, evolved in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic. It uses triangulation,a mixed-methods approach, to analyze data from quantitative and qualitative sources to quantify shifts in income, demand, and client frequency and describe female sex workers’ perspectives on their work environment.
Yemen Poverty and Equity Assessment: Living in Dire Conditions
This study by the World Bank triangulates across multiple data sources including phone surveys, face-to-face surveys in IRG-controlled areas, geospatial data such as the agricultural stress index, and qualitative interviews with select in-country respondents and subject matter experts to develop a holistic understanding of poverty in Yemen.
References #
How do you use triangulation to enhance the rigor of qualitative research?
