Understanding triangulation in research
Open accessAbstract
The term ‘triangulation ’ originates in the field of navi-gation where a location is determined by using the angles from two known points.1 Triangulation in research is the use of more than one approach to researching a question. The objective is to increase con-fidence in the findings through the confirmation of a proposition using two or more independent measures.2 The combination of findings from two or more rigorous approaches provides a more comprehensive picture of the results than either approach could do alone.3 Triangulation is typically associated with research methods and designs. However, there are several other variations on the term. Triangulation may be the use of multiple theories, data sources, methods or investigators within the study of a single phenomenon.2 4 The tech-
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TE and YL independently coded one of the transcribed focus group interviews and discussed meaning units and codes to ensure analytical triangulation.
“Initially, TE and YL independently coded one of the transcribed focus group interviews and discussed meaning units and codes to ensure analytical triangulation [32].”
From Generative artificial intelligence in physiotherapy education: great potential amidst challenges- a qualitative interview study (2025) · cites this paper as [32]
For triangulation, data on depressive symptom severity, intervention satisfaction, and working alliance were derived for RCT data.
“For later comparison and a triangulation approach (Heale and Forbes, 2013), data on depressive symptom severity (QIDS-SR16,9 Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology, Rush et al., 2003, range 0–27), intervention satisfaction (CSQ-I,10 adapted Client Satisfaction Questionnaire for Internet-based Interventions, Boß et al., 2016, range 8–32), and working alliance (WAI-SR,11 Working Alliance Invento”
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Cites
SAGE Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social & Behavioral Research
Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2010) · doi:10.4135/9781506335193 · Cited by 6,215 · see citing works
Illustrating triangulation in mixed-methods nursing research
Williamson, G. R. (2005) · Nurse Researcher · doi:10.7748/nr2005.04.12.4.7.c5955 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Qualitative data analysis using data displays
Williamson, T., & Long, A. (2005) · Nurse Researcher · doi:10.7748/nr2005.01.12.3.7.c5944 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Copeland, D., & Heilemann, M. V. (2008) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/01.nnr.0000319500.90240.d3 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
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Denzin’s Paradigm Shift: Revisiting Triangulation in Qualitative Research
Fusch, P., Fusch, G. E., & Ness, L. R. (2018) · Journal of Social Change · doi:10.5590/josc.2018.10.1.02 · Cited by 551 · see citing works
Application of triangulation in qualitative research
Donkoh, S. (2023) · Journal of Applied Biotechnology & Bioengineering · doi:10.15406/jabb.2023.10.00319 · Cited by 170 · see citing works
Wright, B., Faulkner, N., Bragge, P., & Graber, M. (2019) · Diagnosis · doi:10.1515/dx-2018-0104 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Lindbäck, Y., Schröder, K., Engström, T., Valeskog, K., & Sonesson, S. (2025) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-025-07106-w · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“Initially, TE and YL independently coded one of the transcribed focus group interviews and discussed meaning units and codes to ensure analytical triangulation [32].”
Thielecke, J., Buntrock, C., Freund, J., Braun, L., Ebert, D. D., Berking, M., Baumeister, H., & Titzler, I. (2023) · Internet Interventions · doi:10.1016/j.invent.2023.100671 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“For later comparison and a triangulation approach (Heale and Forbes, 2013), data on depressive symptom severity (QIDS-SR16, 9 Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology, Rush et al., 2003, range 0 – 27), intervention satisfaction (CSQ-I, 10 adapted Client Satisfaction Questionnaire for…”
Method
- Authors
- Heale, R., & Forbes, D.
- Affiliations
- Laurentian University (CA)
- University of Alberta (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Heale, Roberta
- Venue
- Evidence Based Nursing
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2013-08-13
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 98-98
- ISSN
- 1367-6539 (ISSN-L)
- 1468-9618
- OpenAlex
- W2158216526
- Cited by
- 567
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 41 · 2025: 82 · 2024: 81 · 2023: 81 · 2022: 83 · 2021: 79 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 32.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Evidence-Based Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Methodologies in Health Research and Practice
- Social Sciences › Education › Educational Research and Methods
- Keywords
- triangulation, research validity, multi-source data, multiple methods
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Research Design, Biomedical Research, Qualitative Research
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