title: The use of triangulation in qualitative research.
abstract: Triangulation refers to the use of multiple methods or data sources in qualitative research to develop a comprehensive understanding of phenomena (Patton, 1999). Triangulation also has been viewed as a qualitative research strategy to test validity through the convergence of information from different sources. Denzin (1978) and Patton (1999) identified four types of triangulation: (a) method triangulation, (b) investigator triangulation, (c) theory triangulation, and (d) data source triangulation. The current article will present the four types of triangulation followed by a discussion of the use of focus groups (FGs) and in-depth individual (IDI) interviews as an example of data source triangulation in qualitative inquiry.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Department of Oncology, McMaster University.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bryant-Lukosius
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DiCenso
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, McMaster University.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blythe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Canada.
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Neville
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D017144:Focus Groups; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design; D012108:Research Personnel
keywords: focus groups; in-depth individual interviews; qualitative research; triangulation