Paper III

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Paper III

• Qualitative research methodology

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Objective 1.8

• Explain the effect of triangulation on the
  credibility/trustworthiness of qualitative
  research
• .

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• Triangulation refers to the use of more than one
  approach to the investigation of a research
  question in order to enhance confidence in the
  ensuing findings.
• Since much social research is founded on the use
  of a single research method and as such may
  suffer from limitations associated with that
  method or from the potential subjective
  application of it, triangulation offers the
  prospect of enhanced credibility.

Building context
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• By combining multiple observers, theories,
  methods, and empirical materials, researchers can
  hope to overcome the weakness or intrinsic biases
  and the problems that come from single-method,
  single-observer, single-theory studies.
• Often the purpose of triangulation in specific
  contexts is to obtain confirmation of findings
  through convergence of different perspectives.
• The point at which the perspectives converge is
  seen to represent a credible reality.

EFFECTS OF TRIANGULATION
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• Triangulation, when properly used, can reduce the
  effect of researcher bias-which in turn increases
  credibility of research. Explain this to the
  reader. Provide an example (preferably from the
  stimulus material on the exam).
• Triangulation, when used between qualitative and
  quantitative methods, can also increase the
  internal validity of your research. Explain this
  to the reader. Provide an example.

EFFECTS OF TRIANGULATION
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• Denzin (1970) extended the idea of triangulation
  beyond its conventional association with research
  methods and designs.
• He described three forms of triangulation
• Data Triangulation Gathering data using multiple
  sampling methods.
• Investigator triangulation which refers to the
  use of more than one researcher in the field to
  gather and interpret data.
• Methodological triangulation which refers to the
  use of more than one method for gathering data.

TYPES OF TRIANGULATION
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• Data triangulation involves using different
  sources of information in order to increase the
  validity of a study.
• These sources are likely to be stakeholders in a
  groupparticipants, other researchers, family,
  other community members, and so on.

Data Triangulation
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• If we were researching the RHS afterschool
  program, for example, the research process would
  start by identifying the stakeholder groups such
  as youth in the program, their parents, school
  teachers, and school administrators.
• In-depth interviews could be conducted with each
  of these groups to gain insight into their
  perspectives on program outcomes.
• During the analysis stage, feedback from the
  stakeholder groups would be compared to determine
  areas of agreement as well as areas of
  divergence.

Data Triangulation
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• If we were researching the RHS afterschool
  program, for example, the research process would
  start by identifying the stakeholder groups such
  as youth in the program, their parents, school
  teachers, and school administrators.
• In-depth interviews could be conducted with each
  of these groups to gain insight into their
  perspectives on program outcomes.
• During the analysis stage, feedback from the
  stakeholder groups would be compared to determine
  areas of agreement as well as areas of
  divergence.

Data Triangulation
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• Investigator triangulation involves using several
  different investigators in the analysis process.
• Typically, this manifests as an evaluation team
  consisting of colleagues within a field of study
  wherein each investigator examines the group with
  the same qualitative method (interview,
  observation, case study, or focus groups).

Investigator Triangulation
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• The findings from each evaluator would then be
  compared to develop a broader and deeper
  understanding of how the different investigators
  view the issue.
• If the findings from the different evaluators
  arrive at the same conclusion, then the
  credibility in the findings would be heightened.

Investigator Triangulation
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• Methodological triangulation involves the use of
  multiple qualitative and/or quantitative methods
  to study the program.
• For example, results from surveys, focus groups,
  and interviews could be compared to see if
  similar results are being found.
• If the conclusions from each of the methods are
  the same, then credibility is established.

Methological Triangulation
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• How would triangulation effect credibility?

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• Data triangulation validates your data and
  research by cross verifying the same information.
  
• This triangulation of data strengthens the
  research because the data has increased
  credibility due to fact that multiple sources
  confirm the description.

Effect of Data Triangulation
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• The triangulation of data strengthens the
  research.
• Additional sources of information often give more
  insight into a topic
• Inadequacies found in one-source data is
  minimized when multiple sources confirm the same
  data

Effect of Data Triangulation
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• In addition to that, triangulation can take on a
  confirmatory approach, overcoming challenges
  related to a single-method, single-observer and
  single-theory biasness and thus can be applied to
  add truth value to the research results and
  conclusions (Denzin,1989 in (Shih, 1998).

Effect of Data Triangulation
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• The findings from each evaluator would then be
  compared to develop a broader and deeper
  understanding of how the different investigators
  view the issue.
• If the findings from the different evaluators
  arrive at the same conclusion, then the
  credibility in the findings would be heightened.

Investigator Triangulation
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• It is important to note that the use of
  triangulation strategies does not strengthen a
  flawed study. Why is this the case? Provide an
  example.
• Researchers should use triangulation if it can
  contribute to understanding the phenomenon
  however, they must be able to articulate why the
  strategy is being used and how it might enhance
  the study.

A closing reflection
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• It is also important to note that one can never
  rule out bias or preconceptions but you should be
  cognizant of their presence and potential impact.
  
• In fact, failing to recognize bias in itself is
  known as design bias (which also includes
  failing to disclose assumptions and possible bias
  when reporting your findings).

A closing reflection
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• Particularly with qualitative research, it is
  considered best practice to acknowledge bias and
  preconceptions.
• This is what Contemporary Psychologist refer to
  as REFLEXIVITY.

A closing reflection
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Objective 1.9

• Explain reflexivity in qualitative research.