1. Data Collection and Triangulation
Edwin D. Bell
Winston-Salem State University

2. What Do You Want to Know?
Your data collection method is determined by the questions that you wish to ask.
You need to identify a data source, i.e., where you want to get the information from, which may be people or things, e.g. records, minutes, or newspapers.

3. How Do You Get It?
How you get the data that you wish from the data source is called the data collection method.
The methods may include: tests, surveys, interviews, attitude scales, observations, and journals (see Mills, 2003, Chapter 3)

4. Triangulation
It is generally accepted in action research “that researchers should not rely on any single source of data, interview, observation, or instrument” (Mills, 2003, p. 52)
“In research terms, this desire to use multiple sources of data is referred to as triangulation.” ( Mills, 2003, p. 52)

5. Sample Triangulation Matrix
On the following slide is a sample triangulation matrix for an action research project of a teacher that wanted to see if some new instructional software would improve students keyboarding skills

6. 1. Pre-existing knowledge Student Survey Computer Knowledge Pretest
Research Question
Data Sources
Students
Parents
Records
1. Pre-existing knowledge
Student Survey
Computer Knowledge Pretest
2. Keyboarding Speed
Pretest
Posttest
Teacher help
3. Appropriate use of WP
Pretest software
Posttest software
Timed typing Teacher constructed Test
4. Time on Computers
Student survey
Parent Survey
School Lab records
Figure 1. Triangulation Matrix Example ( Mills, 2003)

7. Data Collection Considerations
Reliability and validity
Golafshani (2003) made the point that in qualitative research reliability and validity is replaced by the idea of trustworthiness, which is defensible and recommended triangulation as a way to establish this trustworthiness of the results of a study.

8. References
Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding reliability and validity in qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report, 8(4), Retrieved 8/24/07 from
Mills, G. E. (2003), Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 2nd Edition, Merrill/Prentice-Hall: Upper saddle River, NJ.