Ethnography key concepts

Triangulation is often used to indicate that two (or more) methods are used in a study in order to check the results. "The concept of triangulation is borrowed from navigational and land surveying techniques that determine a single point in space with the convergence of measurements taken from two other distinct points." The idea is that one can be more confident with a result if different methods lead to the same result.

Triangulation is a powerful technique that facilitates validation of data through cross verification from two or more sources. In particular, it refers to the application and combination of several research methods in the study of the same phenomenon.

• It can be used in both quantitative (validation) and qualitative (inquiry) studies.
• It is a method-appropriate strategy of founding the credibility of qualitative analyses.
• It becomes an alternative to traditional criteria like reliability and validity.
• It is the preferred line in the social sciences.

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 and single-theory studies.

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 specific application of it, triangulation offers the prospect of enhanced confidence.

Triangulation is often used to indicate that two (or more) methods are used in a study in order to check the results.

TYPES OF TRIANGULATION
Denzin (1970) extended the idea of triangulation beyond its conventional association
with research methods and designs. He distinguished four forms of triangulation:
1. Data triangulation, which entails gathering data through several sampling
strategies, so that slices of data at different times and social situations, as well as
on a variety of people, are gathered.
2. Investigator triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one researcher in
the field to gather and interpret data.
3. Theoretical triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one theoretical
position in interpreting data.
4. Methodological triangulation, which refers to the use of more than one method
for gathering data.

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 specific application of it, triangulation offers the prospect of enhanced confidence. Triangulation is one of the several rationales for MULTIMETHOD RESEARCH . The term derives from surveying, where it refers to the use of a series of triangles to map out an area.

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.

 triangulation is the process of determining the location of a point by measuring angles to it from known points at either end of a fixed baseline, rather than measuring distances to the point directly (trilateration). The point can then be fixed as the third point of a triangle with one known side and two known angles.

Triangulation can also refer to the accurate surveying of systems of very large triangles, called triangulation networks.

 triangulation is the process of determining the location of a point by measuring angles to it from known points at either end of a fixed baseline, rather than measuring distances to the point directly (trilateration). 

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.

a technique for establishing the distance between any two points, or the relative position of two or more points, by using such points as vertices of a triangle or series of triangles, such that each triangle has a side of known or measurable length (base or base line) that permits the size of the angles of the triangle and the length of its other two sides to be established by observations taken either upon or from the two ends of the base line.