Editing Triangulation (social science) (section)

{{About|verification of research data|other uses|Triangulation (disambiguation)}}

In the [[social sciences]], '''triangulation''' refers to the application and combination of several [[Research|research methods]] in the study of the same phenomenon.<ref>Bogdan, R. C. & Biklen, S. K.(2006). ''Qualitative research in education: An introduction to theory and methods.'' Allyn & Bacon. {{ISBN|978-0-205-51225-6}}.</ref> By combining multiple observers, theories, methods, and [[Empirical evidence|empirical]] materials, researchers hope to overcome the weakness or intrinsic [[Bias|biases]] and the problems that come from single method, single-observer, and single-theory studies.

It is popularly used in [[sociology]]. "The concept of triangulation is borrowed from [[Navigation|navigational]] and [[Surveying|land surveying]] techniques that determine a single point in space with the convergence of measurements taken from two other distinct points."<ref>Rothbauer, Paulette (2008) "Triangulation." In Given, Lisa (Ed.), "The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods." Sage Publications. pp. 892-894.</ref>

Triangulation can be used in both [[Quantitative research|quantitative]] and [[Qualitative research|qualitative]] studies as an alternative to traditional criteria like reliability and validity.