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

Question 1

Explain the effect of triangulation on the credibility/ trustworthiness of qualitative research: Triangulation

Answer 1

• triangulation = different ways of doing the same thing
  = a truer picture of phenomenon
  = increase credibility/trustworthiness of conclusions

Question 2

Explain the effect of triangulation on the credibility/ trustworthiness of qualitative research: Credibility

Answer 2

• evaluation of whether research findings represent a credible (true) interpretation of the participants original data

Question 3

How to and effect of: Method triangulation (2+2)

Answer 3

how:
-use different methods in the same study (e.g. observation and interview)
- qualitative and quantitative can complement each other
effect of:
-bias is reduced and credibility increased
-several methods = takes adv of different strengths of each method and compensates for limitations

Question 4

How to and effect of: Data triangulation (1+2)

Answer 4

how:
-comparison of data from multiple sources (e.g. observation from diff days)
effect of:
- claims based on more data = bias is reduced and credibility increased
-provides additional source = better qual of data

Question 5

How to and effect of: Researcher triangulation (1+2)

Answer 5

how:
-use different researchers to collect/analyse data
effect of:
-bias is reduced and credibility increased
-particularly effective to counteract researcher bias bc interpretations discussed/ alternative interpretations offered

Question 6

How to and effect of: Theory triangulation (1+4)

Answer 6

how:
-use of several competing theories to analyse data
effect of:
-protect against researcher bias hence increasing credibility
-eg. could reveal contradictions in data thus
-eg. researcher forced to justify why they consider a particular theory to be relevant in explaining phenomena under research
-promotes deeper understanding of topic
-therefore bias is reduced and credibility increased

Question 7

Triangulation conclusion:

Answer 7

not always guaranteed to increase credibility

• decisions made by researchers about how to triangulate can be systematically biased
• this would mean conclusions based on research using triangulation are not credible but have illusion of credibility
• researchers therefore need to be clear on their motivations and biases
• combine with qualitative
• additionally, qual methodology assumes data obtained from any single gathering procedure are representative only of that single event

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Explain: detailed account + reasons and causes

Triangulation
Credibility

How to and effect of:

• Theory triangulation
• Researcher triangulation
• Data triangulation
• Method triangulation

Conclusion