Triangulation

The term triangulation refers to the practice of using multiple sources of data or multiple approaches to analyzing data to enhance the credibility of a research study. Originating in navigational and surveying contexts, triangulation aligns multiple perspectives and leads to a more comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Researchers differ in the emphasis placed on the purposes of triangulation; some investigators view it as critical to establishing corroborating evidence, and others focus on its potential to provide multiple lines of sight and multiple contexts to enrich the understanding of a research question. Particularly associated with qualitative research methods, triangulation typically involves examining data from interviews, focus groups, written archives, or other sources. Triangulation is often used in studies that combine both quantitative and qualitative ...