Coming At It from Different Angles

Triangulation

The idea of triangulation comes from navigational and land surveying techniques where a single point, either on land, water or in space, is calculated using multiple angles originating from multiple locations.  In everyday parlance, the term is often used when someone is referring to a considered approach that reviews a situation from multiple perspectives. 

We have three texts and other assigned readings for the Research Methods class and each textbook and chapter is looking at research methodologies through a different lens.  One presents research methodologies as they are "classically" understood within the framework of scientific inquiry.  Another presents research methodologies as they are applied in the setting of organizations.  Yet another presents research methodologies through a framework of usefulness and relevance.  

Because of these different lenses, I've been experiencing a push and pull effect. I find myself becoming engaged with the theoretical concept of a certain methodology and then rejecting it once I understand the more practical challenges of application within organizations and relevance.  

Now, I'm starting to think that it is more helpful to think in terms of a triangulated approach. Instead of thinking of the textbooks as looking at methodologies through totally separate lenses, I'm beginning to think about what impact different settings and different research designs have on the different methodologies.  Ultimately this becomes a series of trade-offs based upon what it is you want to accomplish.

Once again we are back to the importance of the research question. There is so much to consider.  For instance do you want the research to produce findings that are specific to one setting or do you want to be able to 'generalize' the findings to a larger group?  Is there a theory being tested or is the research designed to generate a theory?  Triangulation is also useful as an approach of using both quantitative and qualitative data to look at a research question.  

I've found triangulation to be very useful for everyday decision making.  I have a better understanding of why I make the decisions I do, and ultimately it leads to higher quality and greater confidence in my decisions.