Methodological Triangulation in Educational Research: Pros and Cons

Abstract

Many scholars are still skeptical of the value of triangulation over a single method of research, such as quantitative or qualitative. Besides, qualitative and quantitative research methods are compared for superiority instead of being combined to overcome the shortcomings of each. Therefore, this paper explained the concept of triangulation, triangulation in educational research, triangulation outcomes, the pros and cons of triangulation, and the implications of triangulation in educational research. It concluded that methodological triangulation in educational research is an approach for increasing confidence about the validity and reliability of educational research findings as opposed to a single method (say, qualitative or quantitative). Combining the merits of qualitative and quantitative methods, the adoption of triangulation in educational research improves the validity, reliability, and generalizability of the result. Methodological triangulation, although very useful, is time-consuming, energy-intensive, and requires expertise on the part of the researcher. It is advised that methodological triangulation be used in educational research under the supervision of an experienced mentor.