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Abstract
Research strives to understand truths about particular phenomena, whether it be the pathophysiology of a disease process or how nursing care affects the outcomes of patients. Our knowledge is always evolving over time. To ensure that the information we derive from research data accurately reflects the truth about phenomena under investigation, different research methods are used. Triangulation is one method that helps increase the validity, reliability, and legitimation, which encompasses credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability, of research findings.1-4
Triangulation is a research methods strategy that uses multiple data sources, researchers, theories, or research methods to ensure that the data, analysis, and conclusions of a research study are as comprehensive and accurate as possible. It also assists in identifying areas that need further study.2-7 Clinical researchers can use 4 types of triangulation when planning and implementing a clinical research study: (1) method triangulation; (2) investigator triangulation; (3) theory triangulation; and (4) data source triangulation.1,3,5,6
Method triangulation incorporates multiple research methods to collection data. An example of this type of triangulation might involve using patient chart data, direct patient observations, and patient interviews to allow the clinical researcher to compare data, thereby providing a more complete picture than just using one method such as patient chart data.8