I am trying to do this, but depend on study's problem

It is a central paradigm in qualitative research that the validity is better when using different research methods in the same field, called triangulation. What and how to do this depends really very much of the questions you have and the field.

I agree with Reinhard, this will strengthen your study- as triangulation is one of the ways of improving validity in qualitaive studies.

I'm doing that on my doctoral thesis - combining recorded interviews, daily reports through follow up emails and secondary data (from the organization). Results are very interesting when you can put all of that together - tied up with a consistent epistemological point.

Thank you all for your interesting reply and ideas of your study. It is very exciting. And yes, I agree with Reinhard that triangulation method improves the validity of qualitative data. I'll try to count the numbers of children-play-frames according to its content like house play, baby-caring and so on. It seems that I need to explain reason to use the combining recorded data and now I believe this will improve validity of my result so I've decided to combine these data. Also, I'm trying to combine quantitative data with qualitative data. I'm struggling to find the best logic flow.

It is interesting but not easy and real problem is validate our point of view and methodology used. It is needed to be accepted by the people working in the field. At the same time this is the way to deal the subject in depth and understand the reality in true perspective. i support triangulation, but implementation modality should be worked out as a team effort to make is really acceptable. thanks for stating such a nice discussion.

Dear Momoko,

It is important to combine both, however, the result would become more authentic if reflections from the field by the researcher and you are also combined judiciously as the qualitative research aims to respond "why" which is really important and you would know where you are in the right direction and where you need to explore further on the other hand.

Thanks very much

To Vijay,

I think it's important to handout any data regarding with the field. Building a trust between the field and the researcher will lead deep understanding of the problem which the researcher want to solve in his/her study.

Thank your for your great answer.

To Saroj,

The purpose of combining data is to enhance the validity of results. To have a good "why"(question) is really important, I agree. And yes, this will show me if I'm in the right direction or not. I think triangulation method enrich reflections and make the whole understandings of the field more scientific( I mean objective) one.

Thank you for the good advice.

As a conclusion of this discussion, I'd like to say thank you for all of you who answered my question.Now, I have reasonable reasons to combine data. These discussion give me deeper understandings of qualitative method.

Thank you all.