Republic of the Philippines

President Ramon Magsaysay State University

(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales

Arjay S. Fariñas Dr. Elizabeth N. Farin

EDMA – Student Professor

EDUC 604
Advanced Research Methodology
Third Trimester, SY 2020-2021

QUALITATIVE APPROACH IN RESEARCH

TRIANGULATION

• refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources in qualitative research to develop a
comprehensive understanding of phenomena (Patton, 1999).

• it also has been viewed as a qualitative research strategy to test validity through
convergence of information from different sources.

Types of Triangulation

• Data Triangulation - is the use of a variety of data sources, including time, space and
persons, in a study. Findings can be corroborated and any weaknesses in the data can be
compensated for by the strengths of other data, thereby increasing the validity of the
results. The approach has been used in many sectors to strengthen conclusions about
findings and to reduce the risk of false interpretations.

• Methods Triangulation - is the use of multiple methods to study a situation or

phenomenon. The intention is to decrease the deficiencies and biases that come from any
single method. In other words, the strengths of one method may compensate for the
weaknesses of another.

• Investigator Triangulation - is the use of more than one investigator, interviewer,

observer, researcher or data analyst in a study. The ability to confirm findings across
investigators, without prior discussion or collaboration between them, can significantly
enhance the credibility of the findings. Investigator triangulation is particularly important
for decreasing bias in gathering, reporting and/or analyzing study data.

• Theory Triangulation - is the use of multiple theories or hypotheses when examining a

situation or phenomenon. The idea is to look at a situation/phenomenon from different
perspectives, through different lenses, with different question in mind. The different
 theories or hypotheses do not have to be similar or compatible; in fact, the more divergent
they are, the more likely are to identify different issues and/or concerns.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Advantages
• It adopts a naturalistic approach to its subject matter.
• It promotes a full understanding of human behavior in their natural setting.
• It is instrumental for a positive societal changes.
• It is a way of understanding and interpreting social interactions.
• It offers multiple ways of acquiring and examining knowledge about something.

Disadvantages:
• It involves a lot of researcher’s subjectivity in data analysis.
• It is hard to know the validity or reliability of the data,
• Its open-ended question yield “data overload” that requires long-time analysis.
• It is time consuming.
• It involves several processes, which results greatly depend on the researcher’s views on
interpretation.

DATA GATHERING INSTRUMENTS FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Research Instrument

• A research instrument is a tool used to collect, measure, and analyze data related to your
research.
• A selection and construction of the data gathering instrument is critical and crucial in the
research process.
• The instrument you choose to collect the data will depend on the research method that
you will be using.

Types of Research Instruments in Qualitative Research

• Interview - An interview is a procedure designed to obtain information from a person

through oral responses (answers) to oral inquiries (questions). Interviews can be
conducted face-to-face, through the use of a cellular phone or any platform using the
internet.

• Focal Group Discussion - Focal group discussion involves gathering people from
similar backgrounds or experiences together to discuss a specific topic of interest. It is a
form of qualitative research where questions are asked about their perceptions, attitudes,
beliefs, opinions or ideas.

• Qualitative Questionnaires - Qualitative questionnaires attempt to elicit more in-depth

responses and are usually designed to find out what has changed as a result of the
program, what the mentees have learned, and what they are doing differently. Answers
 obtained to open-ended questionnaire questions are analyzed using qualitative methods
and they involve discussions and critical analysis without the use of numbers and
calculations.

• Observation - Observation is a systematic data-collecting technique that involves

watching individuals in their natural environment or a naturally occurring situation. The
data collection is laborious and time consuming and may have to be repeated to ensure
reliability. However, observation schedules based on a set of expectations can make date
collection easier.

REFERENCES:

Campbell, D. T., & Fiske, D. W. (1959). Convergent and discriminant validation by the
multitrait-multimethod matrix. Psychological Bulletin, 56(2), 81-105.
doi:10.1037/h0046016

Denzin, N. K. (1978). The research act: A theoretical introduction to sociological methods (2nd

ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Freeman, M., deMarrais, K., Preissle, J., Roulston, K., & St. Pierre, E. A. (2007). Standards of
Evidence in Qualitative Research: An Incitement to Discourse. Educational Researcher,
36(1), 25-32. doi:10.3102/0013189×06298009

Mathison, S. (1988). Why triangulate? Educational Researcher, 17(2), 13-17.

Pelto, P. J. (2017). Mixed methods in ethnographic research: Historical perspectives. New York

& London: Routledge.

Seale, C. (1999). The quality of qualitative research. London: Sage.

Tracy, S. J. (2010). Qualitative quality: Eight “Big-Tent” criteria for excellent qualitative
research. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(10), 837-851. doi:10.1177/1077800410383121