Management Research: Critical Analysis of Triangulation Methods

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the triangulation method within mixed method research, emphasizing its role in maintaining validity and reliability through the integration of both qualitative and quantitative data. It defines and illustrates various mixed methods, using diagrams, theory, and examples to clarify their application. The report critically examines the issues and controversies surrounding triangulation, particularly in social research, and highlights the importance of diverse data sources and methodologies to avoid biases and enhance the credibility of research findings. It further explores the different designs within mixed methods, such as explanatory, exploratory, embedded, and triangulation designs, and discusses the benefits and limitations of each. The report also addresses controversies related to respondent validation and the potential for biases, while also emphasizing the role of triangulation in ensuring the inclusion of marginalized voices in research, advocating for its strategic use to achieve more comprehensive and reliable results.

MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

ABSTRACT
This is about the critical analysis of triangulation method to be used by the researchers to
maintain the validity and reliability factors while conducting the research methodology using
both quantitative and qualitative data. It has also emphasized on key features and definitions
about different mixed methods and its overall effectiveness to collect experimental analysis.
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Mixed method research and triangulation ...................................................................................1
Different mixed methods using diagrams, theory and examples.................................................2
Critically identify and explore the range of issues and controversies surrounding triangulation
......................................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
2

INTRODUCTION
Mixed method research is known as the research methodology in which instead of a
single research method both qualitative and quantitative data is used. Triangulation is widely
used approach within mixed research which ensures that data collection and interpretation are
valid and highly authentic. For this purpose the triangulation strategies uses variety of data
sources of different types so that their comparison and evaluation can be used to cross verify the
study variables and collected data (Molina-Azorín and Font, 2016). The key objective of the
study is to analyse the triangulation methods in making mixed studies more reliable as well as to
evaluate the popular controversies related to triangulation which are observed in the social
research.
Mixed method research and triangulation
The mixed model studies are characterised by the use of qualitative and quantitative
methods which are used in different phases of research study. The use of various types of sources
improves the reliability and validity of the collected data. The research studies which uses
singular research methods are often limited by the versatility and accuracy because the methods
used in the study does not cover the multidimensional perspectives of the research subject. For
instance when research studies uses only a single type of sampling population then there are high
probability that researcher will obtain the observations from only one segment of the population.
However instead of this approach if different population is involved in the study and
various methods like questionnaire, observations and interviews are used to gather data then
more detailed analysis can be conducted (Abdalla and et.al., 2018). Thus, in order to gain the
detailed overview of the study topic triangulation methods can be used. The use of triangulation
in mixed studies emphasis that there must be diversity in the research methodologies so that any
particular methods are not favoured or given priority. This approach makes the study outcomes
unbiased.
Triangulation methods emphasis on several perspectives of the issue instead of
highlighting only one aspect or one perspective. A single method does not have enough
capability to cover all the attributes of the wide study subject. Thus, when researchers employ
multiple number of methods or theories in their studies then it becomes possible for them to
establish the agreement and disagreement on proposed theories or the concept (Kern, 2018).
Thus, triangulation can be considered as an effective method to integrate the diverse

methodologies so that their individual strengths can be utilised to make research studies more
reliable. When the same concept or theory is analysed and evaluated by multiple perspective then
it enhances its credibility and validity. Triangulation methods are used in the mixed research so
that results from different methods can be collaborated and verified with each other. It also
provides more in-depth analysis of the study area which may not be possible by the use of single
data collection or analysis methods. Triangulation also helps to evaluate the loopholes or the
limitation of one perspective so that more valid conclusions can be determined.
2

Different mixed methods using diagrams, theory and examples
Mixed methods are the mixture of both qualitative and quantitative data collection to
produce authentic results in terms of conducting evaluation. These methods are of varied types
and is of mainly four categories (Mertens and et.al,, 2016). These are as follows: Explanatory
Design, Exploratory Design, Embedded Design and Triangulation Design. The Embedded
Design is the type of method which is useful in giving an overview of one set of data over
another on the basis of secondary data collection. It is used when the scholar is using the quality
component when taking the quantitative studies to understand the variables in conducting the
experiment. For instance, when the researcher is time restricted then this method is beneficial in
taking low data to gain the correlational analysis. However, there is a great deal of understanding
the integrated results to keep both the sets by considering the quantitative data through adopting
the qualitative designs.
In regard to the above, another one is exploratory design where both the methods are
used in testing the unknown variables under the qualitative designs. Moreover, it focuses on the
two phase approach where initially the qualitative data is obtained and later the quantitative
phase comes in handy. This methodology assists in the taxonomic development model where the
scholars might use the perceptions regarding the topic via implementing several tools and
techniques. Next is explanatory design which is refereed as the two phase mixed methods and
aid in building the qualitative data through using the obtained quantifiable results. For e.g. when
the scholar is working in collaboration with others by conducting the research on the basis of
subsequent qualitative research. This helps in attaining straight forward solutions and remove
any ambiguity while conducting the research or analysis due to the strong orientation towards the
quantitative methods (Yingling,2018).
Furthermore, lastly the triangulation method is adopted on the most common levels to
understand the mixing methods for receiving the different with complementary data on the
similar terms of subjects or topic. Alongside, this method is beneficial in bringing the strengths
and the weaknesses for receiving the comparative analysis between the quantitative statistical
results and the findings obtained through quantitative methods with using the qualitative data.
Therefore, this method is useful in underpinning the one phase design and are mainly categorised
into convergence model (comparing both types of data and interpreting it by comparing and
3

contrasting the obtained outcomes) and data transformation model (here transferring the
qualitative data into quantitative).
This illustration 1 clearly describes the mixed methods and its related concepts to gain maximum
amount of profits in terms of obtaining authentic, accurate and concise results. Here the concept
of 'sequence' is the linkage between the qualitative and the quantitative components to describe
the order in which the data has been implemented. Additionally, it shed light about the weighting
and the mixing methodologies to be used when taking tests or experiments. These are imperative
to understand the type of mixed method to be adopted to conduct the experimental analysis.
4
Illustration 1. Decision tree for mixed methods design criteria for timing,weighting and
mixing
(Source: Designing and Conducting mixed methods research, 2010)

Critically identify and explore the range of issues and controversies surrounding triangulation
Triangulation is the technique to measure the objects present in the spatial manner.
However, there are several hypotheses and issues which has emphasized on the controversial
clouds with reference to understanding of the triangulation technique (Archibald, 2016). The
foremost issue that do not provide with any solution is to recognize the meaning of experiencing
ad the connected implications that led to the wide range of interpretive activities to fulfil the
political and moral justifications. This method leads to convergence of both the types of data and
resulting into an unambiguous and uni-validated outcomes (Mertens and Hesse-Biber, 2012).
Moreover, this emphasized on the sociological aspects to conduct the program evaluation
through qualitative methods to improve the engagement with the population to develop and
construct inquiries. This engagement is essential in fetching the information for both quantitative
and qualitative data but the drawback is that there is a distinct feature that might affect the
overall mixing and affect the timing to obtain the results. This ultimately impact the decision
making process ad might also has an influence on the response rates depending on the interests.
According to Frost and Nolas, (2013) it has been explored that the societal norms are in
proportional with the existing perspectives to take the benefits of the interventions which are
developed from small ideas. Herein the Pluralistic Qualitative Approaches are in handy and
feasible methodological approach to bring the interventions on the larger levels. The traditional
evaluative method is essential in gaining the reliable and understandable outcomes, although the
qualitative research must be positioned in proper order which is crucial to take the outcomes
systematically (Lawlor, Tilling and Davey Smith, 2016). It is also imperative to take the
pluralistic approaches to qualitative layers of interpretation in order to lay a basis for an array of
opinionated respondents to understand the outcomes in regard to the purpose and value of the
evaluation process. When applied the qualitative aspects, the application part in the future is in
progression due to the obstacles faced while employing the triangulation procedure (M.M.,
2016). The credibility is at stakes and the evaluation is done using different methods to maintain
accountability and establish a singularity in the results to establish the success rate.
Furthermore, Mertens and Hesse-Biber, (2012) stated that the causes that forces to take
upon triangulation is in variable state and includes four important aspects. These are explaining,
confirming, refuting and enriching to minimise the biasses when conducting any research. The
scholar must never rely on one option and must try to focus on minimising the issues related to
5

the triangulation. There are several types of biasses which influence the choice of taking
triangulation and is of the following types such as sampling bias, measurement bias and the
procedural bias. These bias are caused by some or other reason and posed as obstacles when
taking the triangulation method. Thus, on the other hand Gibson, (2017) elucidated that one must
have proper knowledge and understanding of using these bias in the favour of finishing the
research with specific resultants and proper evaluative analysis. When the triangulation is used
then it takes the best options available to ensure a better coverage to reach the desired outcomes.
For e.g. when confirming reason is analysed to employ triangulation then it is important to know
that one set of data is required for understanding the hypothesis with the help of using another
available set of data. For this, sampling bias or procedural bias might be useful to cover the
targets and gain information.
Consequently, this triangulation is beneficial when it is allowed for short interval of time
to combine with the longer engagements for gaining better responses (Karışan, Tüzün and
Zeidler, 2017). If the interval time is elongated and has larger time gaps then it reflects upon the
entire studies conducted by the researcher and cannot produce the conceptual framing of the
meta interpretations to read about the complexities and examine the impact on the human
behavioural approaches. Another issue is that it helps in relational inclusion of women who are
mostly ignored and are given a lower status in the society while taking important decisions and
risks (Mertens and Hesse-Biber, 2012). This is more prominent when used the triangulation
methodology to design the research by using both types of data and give a feminist approach to
make them an integral contributor at all the levels of the society and in any geographical
location. When this is used for adopting a feminist approach by replacing it with mixed methods
then it outlines the opportunity for marginalised voices under a legitimised perspective (Hesse-
Biber, 2015). However, the scholar must be benefited through an understanding of ambiguity and
the biasses to assure the major causative agents.
Thus, this triangulation methodology is gaining momentum by the researchers to obtain
information and data as well through reviewing the available quality of work to collect the
secondary levels of data collection. Nevertheless, a particular approach is only followed when
the materialistic intellectuality is received through the adoption of MMR, which is the popular
acronym of Mixed Methods Research (Whiteley, 2012). However, triangulation is not
completely reliable through comprehensive amounts of criticisms and controversies it has been
6

gaining since its onset. There is also dilemma regarding the respondent validation which makes
this method so controversial and has put questionable comments on its implementation. It is
understandable that triangulation has led to radical changes in terms of using a more democratic
participation in the mixed methods research designs. Although there are constant critical remarks
about its utility in the loner runs to make a difference in the researching skills and give authentic
and feasible results (Joslin and Müller, 2016). Thus, it is important to adopt the triangulation on
the basis of its basic types involving the investigator, theory, data and methodological
triangulation. Moreover, the ambiguity is attached with all the methodical designs and must be
solid proof in its strengths and weaknesses as well to give a platform to study and examine it for
gaining proper results in terms of understanding the social science conceptual frameworks.
7

CONCLUSION
From the above part it could be included that triangulation is termed to as using multiple
theories and data sources into any study which will be based on one single phenomenon. This
particular technique was primarily used or introduced in 1950 within qualitative research and
was used just to avoid biasness that raised due to single methodology. While on the other hand
mixed methodology used in research is that type which involve collecting information and
analysing it in both qualitative and quantitative terms. From the study it could be noted that with
use of both type of methods which is quantitative and qualitative one there will surely be
possibility of triangulation. This will allow researcher to identify further aspect with application
of various approaches from different use of methods and techniques.
It could further be added that there is variety of ways in which triangulation could be
used within mixed methods and there is also range of issues which is related with controversies.
In one of the article it could be concluded that triangulation is one of the same thing which could
be used in methodology section with mixed methods. In terms of government and academic
researcher it is very much common to explore and improve their knowledge of real world. It was
further added that triangulation use should be more and more encouraged while mixed methods
in way of in- depth analysis of particular study area. All sort of controversies that is related to
triangulation will not be having any sort of impact on the benefits that are derived from it.