ABSTRACT
Triangulation is a centerpiece of mixed methods research and can be used to describe corroboration between two sets of findings, or to describe a process of studying a problem using different methods to gain a more complete understanding. The mixed approach to research is comparatively new, beginning in the 1950s, most notably with D. T. Campbell and D. W. Fiske’s work extending the conceptual framework on triangulation, and gaining traction in the 1980s. A key to any successful mixed methods study is careful consideration of the intentions of the study, and logistical planning. Many outcomes lend themselves to mixed methods, such as the desire to understand participants’ perspectives during an experiment, or to provide more effective contextualization of instruments, measures, or interventions. Mixed methods research is more than the types of data collected or even the outcome, but rather how the data is analyzed and interpreted.
