Triangulation: A strategy for innovating in educational researches

Triangulation is a suitable strategy for improving research and evaluation. It's primary idea was introduced in the mid of 1960s. In this approach, an integration of different quantitative and qualitative methods are used in the process of inquiry. In other words, in this approach the use of various methods for gathering, evaluating, and judging on data, and representing findings is recommended. The major purpose is obtaining more valid and reliable explanations of research phenomenon or problem. Triangulation prevents imperfect, superficial, and naive explanations. Four known kinds of triangulation are: data triangulation, researcher triangulation, theoretical triangulation, and methodological triangulation. In addition, Elliot Eisner introduces another kind of triangulation which is known as triangulation in findings’ representation.