Editing Triangulation (social science)

{{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.

==Purpose==

The purpose of triangulation in qualitative research is to increase the credibility and validity of the results. Several scholars have aimed to define triangulation throughout the years.

*Cohen and Manion (2000) define triangulation as an "attempt to map out, or explain more fully, the richness and complexity of [[human behavior]] by studying it from more than one standpoint."<ref>Cohen, L., & Manion, L. (2000). ''Research methods in education.'' Routledge. p. 254. (5th edition).</ref> 
*Altrichter et al. (2008) contend that triangulation "gives a more detailed and balanced picture of the situation."<ref>Altrichter, H., Feldman, A., Posch, P. & Somekh, B. (2008). ''Teachers investigate their work; An introduction to action research across the professions.'' Routledge. p. 147. (2nd edition).</ref>
*According to O'Donoghue and Punch (2003), triangulation is a "method of cross-checking data from multiple sources to search for regularities in the research data."<ref>O'Donoghue, T., Punch K. (2003). ''Qualitative Educational Research in Action: Doing and Reflecting.'' Routledge. p.78.</ref>

==Types==

Denzin (2006) identified four basic types of triangulation:<ref>Denzin, N. (2006). ''Sociological Methods: A Sourcebook.'' Aldine Transaction. {{ISBN|978-0-202-30840-1}}. (5th edition).</ref>

*''Data triangulation:''  involves time, space, and persons.Uses multiple sources of data that all have a similar focus.
*''Investigator triangulation:'' involves multiple researchers in an investigation.
*''Theory triangulation:'' involves using more than one theoretical scheme in the interpretation of the phenomenon.
*''Methodological triangulation:''  involves using more than one method to gather data, such as interviews, observations, [[Questionnaire|questionnaires]], and documents.

== See also ==

* [[Data cleansing]]
* [[Data editing]]
* [[Iterative proportional fitting]] for a method of data enhancement applied in statistics, economics and computer science

==References==
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[[Category:Social science methodology]]
Cohen, L., Mansion, L. and Morrison, K. (2000). Research Methods in Education.5th ed. London: Routledge. p.25