Pluralism & Triangulation

Question 1

Methodological Pluralism

Answer 1

the theory of COMBINING research methodologies typically of two different methodological approaches (positivism + interpretivism) in complimentary ways or to improve reliability/validity

Question 2

Triangulation

Answer 2

the USE of two or more research methods in a complimentary way or to make up for weaknesses or to improve reliability / validity

Question 3

Within/between method

Answer 3

Within is within a method: open ended AND closed ended questions in a questionnaire
Between is multiple methods

Question 4

Name as many examples of triangulation as possible

Answer 4

Hughes et al: used focus groups and structured interiews on the appeal of drinks to younger people

Hey: participant observaion + personal documentation (diaries) in researching girl friendships in london

Finlay: compared different respondent accounts of the same event, and then compared the oral record with records in newspapers

Question 5

harvey and mcdonlad

Answer 5

tirangulation can be:

1. two+ people using the same method
2. two+ methods by 1 person
3. two+ methods by two+ppl

Question 6

hammersley

Answer 6

WHY TO COMBINE?

1. triangulation (which hammersley specifically defines as “cross-checking”)
2. facilitate: use a questionnaire to find a sample for an experiment
3. complementary: to investigate different aspects of the same thing.