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Qualitative Research Methods in Business Research

This document discusses triangulation in qualitative research methods. [1] Triangulation involves using multiple data sources or methods to study the same phenomenon. It enhances the validity and credibility of research findings. [2] There are different types of triangulation, including data, methodological, investigator, theory, and environmental triangulation. The purpose is to gain a richer, more comprehensive understanding of the research topic from a variety of perspectives. [3] Qualitative researchers use triangulation not just for validation, but to deepen their insights and produce innovative conceptual frameworks.

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Muhammad Bilal
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80 views

Qualitative Research Methods in Business Research

This document discusses triangulation in qualitative research methods. [1] Triangulation involves using multiple data sources or methods to study the same phenomenon. It enhances the validity and credibility of research findings. [2] There are different types of triangulation, including data, methodological, investigator, theory, and environmental triangulation. The purpose is to gain a richer, more comprehensive understanding of the research topic from a variety of perspectives. [3] Qualitative researchers use triangulation not just for validation, but to deepen their insights and produce innovative conceptual frameworks.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Bilal
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Qualitative Research methods in Business

Research
Triangulation
Triangulation means using more than one method to collect data on the same topic. This is a way
of assuring the validity of research through the use of a variety of methods to collect data on the
same topic, which involves different types of samples as well as methods of data collection.
However, the purpose of triangulation is not necessarily to cross-validate data but rather to
capture different dimensions of the same phenomenon.

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.

Triangulation involves using multiple data sources in an investigation to produce understanding.


Some see triangulation as a method for corroborating findings and as a test for validity.  This,
however, is controversial.  This assumes that a weakness in one method will be compensated for
by another method, and that it is always possible to make sense between different accounts.  This
is unlikely.  Rather than seeing triangulation as a method for validation or verification,
qualitative researchers generally use this technique to ensure that an account is rich, robust,
comprehensive and well-developed.

In triangulation we can use more than one method to understand the phenomena very well .There
are different methods in triangulation like Investigator triangulation, theory triangulation,
methodological triangulation, environmental triangulation all have different purpose to check the
validity and see the difference of opinion about the phenomena. Recently I have triangulate my
qualitative and quantitative study and was very interesting experience.
Different types of triangulation
Triangulation can be used to deepen the researchers' understanding of the issues and maximize
their confidence in the finding of qualitative studies. There are five types of triangulation:

Data Triangulation

Data triangulation involves using different sources of information in order to increase the
validity of a study. This type of triangulation, where the researcher use different sources, is
perhaps the most popular because it is the easiest to implement

Methodological triangulation

Methodological triangulation involves the use of multiple qualitative and or quantitative methods
to study the program. If the conclusions from each of the methods are the same, then validity is
established. While this method is popular, it generally requires more time and resources.

Investigator Triangulation

Investigator triangulation involves using several different investigators in the analysis process.
While this is an effective method of establishing validity, it may not always be practical to
assemble different investigators given time constraints and individual schedules.

Theory Triangulation

Theory triangulation involves the use of multiple perspectives\discipline to interpret a single set
of data. This method can be time consuming and may not be feasible in all situation.

Environmental Triangulation

This type of triangulation involves the use of different locations, settings, and other key factors
related to the environment in which the study took place, such as the time, day, or season. The
key is identifying which environment factors, if any, might influence the information that is
received during the study. If finding remain the same under varying environmental conditions,
then validity has been established. It is only used when it is likely that the findings may be
influenced by environmental factors.

Use of Triangulation in Qualitative Research


Triangulation involves the careful reviewing of data collected through different methods in order
to achieve a more accurate and valid estimate of qualitative results for a particular construct. The
findings of the Quantitative and Qualitative study have elaborated not only gaps among the
various stake-holders, but, also identified and described a host of contextual and system factors
with specific suggestions to improve an understanding about the disease. If we only rely on
quantitative finding we could not understand in-depth scenario. Suggestion which were asked in
qualitative component was very useful which couldn’t be finding out in close ended question.
The significance of qualitative research comes from the role it plays in investigating the reasons
and processes leading to certain results. Qualitative research has been described as work done to
understand meaning that is socially constructed by individuals in interaction with their world. 

Triangulation facilitates validation of data through cross verification from more than two
sources. It tests the consistency of findings obtained through different instruments and increases
the chance to control, or at least assess, some of the threats or multiple causes influencing our
results.

Triangulation is not just about validation but about deepening and widening one’s understanding.
It can be used to produce innovation in conceptual framing. It can lead to multi-perspective
meta-interpretations.[Triangulation is an] attempt to map out, or explain more fully, the richness
and complexity of human behavior by studying it from more than one standpoint

Just a small comment, according to me, the main point is to gain good understanding from
different perspectives of an investigated phenomenon. That should not necessarily mean cross-
checking data from at least two sources or methods and confirming it is correct or not. It's more
to increase the level of knowledge about something and to strengthen the researcher's standpoint
from various aspects. Especially when setting and following the methodological framework of a
research. In numerous cases, this should be practiced as much as possible

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