What is triangulation of data in qualitative research?
Can we Mix qualitative and quantitative data in Triangulation or collection of same data from different sources?
I agree with Jessica Van Cleave. However, I would be careful using the word "validity" with regard to qualitative research, since some people associate it exclusively with quantitative approaches. Based on Lincoln & Guba (1985) some preferred alternatives are "trustworthiness" and "credibility."
Good morning, Ayaz,
Triangulation of data in qualitative research refers to the use of multiple data sources 1) to determine whether or not those data reinforce interpretations or contradict each other and/or 2) to get a fuller picture of the phenomenon of study. It's just a validity strategy. In mixed methods research, triangulation can occur using qualitative and quantitative data.
Hope that helps!
Jessica
I agree with Jessica Van Cleave. However, I would be careful using the word "validity" with regard to qualitative research, since some people associate it exclusively with quantitative approaches. Based on Lincoln & Guba (1985) some preferred alternatives are "trustworthiness" and "credibility."
It refers to the use of multiple data source as well as multiple researcher viewpoints for 1) best understanding the study subject / phenomenon, and 2) ensure the precision and credibility of data and instruments.
Denzin (1970) defined data triangulation as the use of data sources on time, persons and space in a single study. Data sources may vary due to the time of collection, place, and settings (Denzin, 1970; Mitchell, 1986; Thurmond,2001). There are five basic types of triangulation.
1. Data Triangulation : Use of multiple similar type data (Quali or Quanti) in a single study
2. Investigator Triangulation: A type of triangulation which requires more than one observer, interviewer, investigator or data analyst whose primary responsibility is to collect and interpret data without prior discussion with others.
3. Methodological Triangulation: Use of Qualitative and Quantitative data in a single study.
4. Theoretical Triangulation: Application of multiple theories or hypotheses concurrently, with the purpose of explaining the same phenomenon
5. Multiple Triangulation : When multiple triangulation methods are used in a single study, it is known as “multiple triangulation"
For further information please refer below article
Article Triangulation Approaches in Finance Research
References :
Denzin, N. K. (1970). Sociological Methods: A Sourcebook. New Brunswick, Canada: Transaction Publishers.
Mitchell, E.S. (1986). Multiple triangulation: A methodology for nursing science. Advances in Nursing Science, 8(3), 18-26.
Thurmond, V. A. (2001). The point of triangulation. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 33(1), 253-258.
Triangulation of data in qualitative research basically refer to drawing evidence from various data sources to study the same phenomenon. It is more associated with mixed method research where survey data (quantitative method) is used together with in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (Qualitative methods) to study the same phenomenon. However, some purely qualitative studies have also employed the concept to draw qualitative evidence from in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and Observation to study a same phenomenon. As David rightly said, it is an an attempt to enhance the trustworthiness of the results. This is related to the aspect of trustworthiness that Lincoln and Guba (1985) referred to as "confirmability"; an important criteria for evaluating qualitative studies.
Thank you all participants, now i have idea what to do for my research work.
It would also have been easy to look that up on the web, or any qualitative research book.
I have found for graduate students, being pushed to use additional data sets helps them to see different ways to understand the same topic. As mentioned by others, it gives a broader picture and can help us demonstrate the "credibility" of the data (especially to those with a more quantitative viewpoint). Good luck!
Triangulation is a process of validating source and authenticating the collected data in qualitative research. According to Creswell (2009) it is a way of using different data sources of information by examining evidences from the sources and using it to build a coherent justification for themes.
Triangulation refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources in qualitative research to develop a comprehensive understanding of phenomena (Patton, 1999).
(Heale & Forbes, 2013) define that,Triangulation is often used to describe which research has been used mixed method and have got a specific research question's result, "Converging results aim to increase the validity through verification; complementary results highlight different aspects of the
phenomenon or illustrate different phenomenon and divergent findings can lead to new and better explanations for the phenomenon under investigation".
The combination of findings from two or more rigorous approaches and provide a more comprehensive picture of the results. This technique is used to confirm suggested findings, but it can be used to determine the completeness of the data.
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