How do sociologists approach the study of society? » Approaches combining different research methods - triangulation

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

What triangulation means in sociological research
Why sociologists combine different research methods
The strengths and limitations of triangulation
Real-world examples of triangulation in sociological studies
How to evaluate triangulation as a research approach

Introduction to Triangulation in Sociology

When sociologists study society, they want to make sure their findings are as accurate and reliable as possible. One powerful way they do this is through triangulation - using multiple research methods to study the same social issue. Think of it like looking at something from different angles to get a complete picture!

Key Definitions:

Triangulation: The use of multiple research methods, data sources, investigators, or theories to study the same social phenomenon.
Methodological pluralism: The view that sociologists should use a range of different research methods rather than relying on just one approach.
Validity: The extent to which research findings accurately reflect the social reality they claim to measure.

Why "Triangulation"?

The term comes from navigation and surveying, where multiple reference points are used to locate an exact position. Similarly, sociologists use multiple methods to pinpoint social truths more accurately!

Types of Triangulation

Sociologists use several different forms of triangulation in their research:

🔬 Method Triangulation

Using different research methods (like surveys, interviews and observations) to study the same issue. For example, researching classroom behaviour using both structured observations and interviews with students.

👥 Investigator Triangulation

Having multiple researchers collect and interpret data. This helps reduce individual bias. For instance, several observers might record behaviour in a school playground, then compare notes.

📊 Data Triangulation

Collecting data from different sources, times or places. This might involve gathering information from students, teachers and parents about educational experiences.

💡 Theory Triangulation

Using multiple theoretical perspectives to interpret findings. For example, analysing family dynamics from both functionalist and feminist viewpoints.

Why Combine Different Research Methods?

Sociologists combine methods for several important reasons:

👍 Overcoming Limitations

Every research method has weaknesses. Triangulation helps compensate for the limitations of individual methods.

🎯 Improving Validity

When different methods produce similar results, we can be more confident that findings are valid and not just artefacts of a particular method.

🔎 Deeper Understanding

Different methods reveal different aspects of social life, providing a more complete and nuanced picture.

Triangulation in Practice: Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

One of the most common forms of triangulation involves combining quantitative methods (focused on numbers and statistics) with qualitative methods (focused on meanings and experiences).

Complementary Strengths

Quantitative and qualitative methods each have different strengths that work well together:

📊 Quantitative Methods

Provide statistical data from large samples
Show patterns and trends
Test hypotheses
Examples: surveys, structured interviews, official statistics

💬 Qualitative Methods

Provide rich, detailed data
Explore meanings and experiences
Discover unexpected insights
Examples: unstructured interviews, participant observation, focus groups

Case Study Focus: Studying Educational Achievement

A sociologist studying educational achievement might use triangulation by:

Analysing exam results statistics (quantitative)
Conducting in-depth interviews with students about their experiences (qualitative)
Observing classroom interactions (qualitative)
Surveying parents about home study environments (mixed methods)

This approach provides both statistical patterns and deeper understanding of the factors affecting achievement.

Examples of Triangulation in Famous Sociological Studies

Paul Willis: "Learning to Labour" (1977)

Willis studied why working-class boys often end up in working-class jobs. He combined:

Participant observation in a school
Group interviews with the "lads"
Individual interviews
Diaries kept by participants

This triangulation allowed Willis to understand both the behaviour of the boys and the meanings behind their actions, revealing how they developed a counter-school culture.

Ann Oakley: Studies of Housework and Motherhood

Oakley combined:

Structured interviews with questions about time spent on housework
Unstructured interviews exploring women's feelings about their roles
Observational data

This approach allowed her to gather both statistical patterns and deeper insights into women's experiences.

Strengths and Limitations of Triangulation

👍 Strengths

Increases validity and reliability of findings
Provides a more complete picture of social reality
Helps overcome the weaknesses of individual methods
Can reveal contradictions that lead to new insights
Reduces researcher bias

👎 Limitations

More time-consuming and expensive
Requires researchers skilled in multiple methods
May produce contradictory findings that are difficult to interpret
Can be challenging to integrate different types of data
May still reflect researcher bias in choice of methods

What If Methods Produce Different Results?

Sometimes triangulation reveals contradictions rather than confirmation. For example, what people say in interviews might differ from how they actually behave in observations. Rather than seeing this as a problem, sociologists view these contradictions as valuable findings that:

Highlight the complexity of social reality
Reveal the limitations of particular methods
Provide opportunities for deeper investigation
Challenge researchers to develop more sophisticated explanations

Real-World Example: Contradictory Findings

In a study of classroom behaviour, surveys might show students claiming they rarely use their phones in class. However, observations might reveal frequent phone use. This contradiction isn't a failure of triangulation - it's a valuable finding showing the gap between what people say and what they do!

Theoretical Perspectives on Triangulation

Different Views on Combining Methods

Sociologists from different theoretical backgrounds have different views on triangulation:

📈 Positivists

Value triangulation as a way to improve objectivity and verify findings, seeing it as a path to more accurate knowledge about society.

🤔 Interpretivists

Appreciate triangulation for providing richer understanding of meanings, but may worry about forcing qualitative insights into quantitative frameworks.

⚖ Critical Theorists

See triangulation as useful for revealing contradictions in society and challenging official accounts of social issues.

Conclusion: The Value of Triangulation

Triangulation represents a pragmatic approach to sociological research that recognises the complexity of social life. By combining different methods, sociologists can build a more complete and accurate understanding of society than would be possible with any single approach.

As you continue your sociology studies, look for examples of triangulation in research and consider how combining methods might strengthen your own understanding of social issues. Remember that no single research method can capture the full complexity of social life - sometimes we need to look from multiple angles to see the whole picture!