Triangulation in Nursing Research: Issues of Conceptual Clarity and Purpose
Resource
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING v.28 n.3 pp.631-641
Journal
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
Journal Volume
v.28
Journal Issue
n.3
Pages
631-641
Date Issued
1998
Date
1998
Author(s)
SHIH, FU-JIN
Abstract
The controversy concerning the value of qualitative, quantitative andtriangulation approaches to nursing research for understanding human behaviour and increasing nursing knowledge has been an increasing source of debate among nurse scholars. However, the differences and similarities of these three perspectives have not been fully compared as either philosophies or methodologies. The purposes of this paper are to provide an understanding of the origin and development of the triangulation research method, clarify major sources of confusion in the presentation of a triangulation study, and discuss the problems and possible solutions of a triangulation study. Finally, an example of multiple triangulation in a nursing research within a Taiwanese cultural context - turning points of recovery from cardiac surgery during the intensive care unit transition - is presented. In the course of the paper, suggestions are also given to help nurse researchers recognize when it is most appropriate to use a certain research method, whether that be qualitative, quantitative or triangulation.