Name : Name : Dang Fareeha binti Abd Dang Fareeha binti Abd SamadSamad

Nurzlina Nurzlina Subject : Subject : Research MethodologyResearch Methodology

AUGG 6170AUGG 6170

Outline a plan to adopt source triangulation as a research methodology in the formulation of a thesis proposal; be mindful of potential pitfalls in doing so.

IntroductionIntroductionSource triangulation refers to the use of

more than one source to the investigation of a research question in order to enhance confidence in the ensuing findings.

According to Runeson and Höst , using the triangulation method by taking different angles towards the studied object will provide a broader picture. Runeson and Höst also defined four different types of triangulation as follows: Data (Source) triangulation Observer triangulation Methodological triangulation Theory triangulation

• By using all these sources in the research, leads to the a good research conclusion.

Source TriangulationSource Triangulation

In the purpose to adopt source triangulation as a research methodology of a thesis proposals, three main activities were undertaken :1. Documents analysis2. Conducting interviews3. Gathering result and findings

Plan to Adopts Source Plan to Adopts Source TriangulationTriangulation

Plan to Adopts Source Plan to Adopts Source TriangulationTriangulation

Documents Analysis 1. Primary Documents (first hand

events) Think tank reports (CPPS, MSRC, IDEAS etc) Government statements or records including

minutes, letters, emails and diaries. Numerical records such as census data or

statistical data. Current media interviews with governments

officials Newspapers articles

2. Secondary Documents (after the events) Books by authors Journals articles by authors, academician etc

Plan to Adopts Source Plan to Adopts Source TriangulationTriangulation

Conducting Interviews1.Interviewing is a technique of gathering

data from respondent by asking them questions and getting them to react verbally.

2.The interviews with key individuals such as ministers, government staffs, or other relevant actors.

3.Two types of interview :o Structured Interviews o Unstructured Interviews

Gathering Results and Findings1.Results from documents analysis and interviews

will be compared to see if similar findings were gain.

Advantages of using Source Advantages of using Source TriangulationTriangulationMultiple data sources may also confront researchers

with different perspectives concerning the same subject.

“increasing confidence in research data, creating innovative ways of understanding a phenomenon, revealing unique findings, challenging or integrating theories, and providing a clearer understanding of the problem” (Thurmond, 2001, p. 254).

Triangulation can also be achieved by using different research techniques. Triangulated techniques are helpful for cross-checking and used to provide confirmation and completeness, which brings balance between two or more different types of research.

ThThe Pitfalls of Source e Pitfalls of Source TriangulationTriangulation

The possibility that sources gathered were biases in the same direction or perhaps by different factors.

Different sources carry divergent or unmatched threats to validity. Triangulation was associated with a likelihood of making error – which denies the absolute certainty.

Difficult to meet the requirement that the different sources of information are independent of one another.

ConclusionConclusionBy combining multiple observers, theories,

methods, and empirical materials, researchers can hope to overcome the weakness or biasness and the problems that come from single-method, single-observer, single-theory studies.

Often the purpose of triangulation in specific contexts is to obtain confirmation of findings through different perspectives. The point at which the perspectives that is centralize is seen to represent reality.

Quite simply, triangulation is a useful tool to use in research, but one should consider the advantages and disadvantages before apply it in research proposal.

ReferenceReference Creswell, J. (1998). Research design: Qualitative,

quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Creswell, J. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design, Thousand Oaks: Sage

Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Thurmond, V. (2001). The point of triangulation. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 33(3), 254–256.

Bryman, A. 2004 (second edition), Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Taylor-powell, Ellen. (1996). Collecting Evaluation Data : An Overview of Sources and Methods. (June).

Russell, Bertrand. (1951). Evaluating Information : Validity, Reliability , Accuracy and Triangulation. (1966), 79-99.

Guion, Lisa A, Diehl, David C, Mcdonald, Debra. (2011). Triangulation : Establishing the Validity of Qualitative Studies. 2-4.

' Triangulation ' Research Method as the Tool of Social Science Research