Question

1. In policy analysis we use triangulation in situation specific scenarios to evaluate metric options. Often we have the benefit to propose a new dependent variable and by new we mean one that other researchers (to your knowledge) have not used as a “y”. You just said that to an arts major. Her face is blank. Explain what you meant in English.

Answer 1

Triangulation is used by researchers in study designs to gain different perspectives of the interested phenomenon. It is done by using more than one method to study a phenomenon which can involve collecting the data in different ways through different samples or studying a different dependent variable. The main point here is this is not done to check the validity of the results but it is done to get different dimensions of the study we are interested. Let’s understand triangulation from the following example:

Suppose there is a researcher who is interesting in knowing whether there is a change in the behaviour of the students as a result of the leadership program over a month period. A researcher could use different ways to collect data. It could be by interviewing the students, surveys, just by observation etc. The researcher could also ask about the behaviour of the student from their family members or colleagues about how their behaviour changed. Hence, he could come up with different ways to get to the result either by changing his data collection method, observation or measuring method. If he arrives at consistent findings, then the validity of the results could be established.