Triangulation of data collection: Practicalities and problems in a study of informal carers of terminally ill cancer patients

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Triangulation of data collection is often seen as a way of enhancing rigour in research. In a study of the experiences of informal carers of terminally ill cancer patients, a qualitative approach was employed, relying on unstructured interviews. However, it was planned to utilise a triangulation strategy by administering a mood adjective checklist (MACL) to informants. Justification for the choice of MACL is given, followed by discussion of the difficulties encountered when carrying out the research plan. Four reasons for these difficulties are identified: reliability of the instrument, duty of care, control, and mixing qualitative and quantitative research strategies. Some of these difficulties might apply generally to research studies but some were peculiar to the particular research situation. This highlights both the necessity to be sensitive to the special needs of different research populations and the advantage of adopting a flexible approach to triangulation in data collection. While information obtained from use of the MACL could not be used in the way originally intended, by adopting a flexible approach it was possible to use these data as a means of triangulating in a broader sense and thus to shed light from a different source on the caring experience.

This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit: