The use of triangulation for completeness purposes

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education Research
• Qualitative Research Methodology

Background:

• Triangulation in research traditionally aimed to confirm findings by employing multiple data collection and analysis techniques.
• A secondary purpose for triangulation, achieving completeness of understanding, is increasingly recognized in research practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the arguments for and against the use of triangulation in research.
• To illustrate how triangulation can enhance the completeness of qualitative research findings.
• To explore the adequacy of the nurse education system in Malta.

Main Methods:

• The study reviews existing literature on research triangulation methods.
• A qualitative approach was employed to investigate the nurse education system.
• Triangulation techniques were utilized to gather and handle data for a comprehensive analysis.

Main Results:

• The review supports the dual purposes of triangulation: confirmation and completeness.
• The application of triangulation facilitated a thorough examination of the nurse education system in Malta.
• Findings indicate the utility of triangulation in providing a complete picture of complex phenomena.

Conclusions:

• Triangulation is a valuable methodological tool for both validating and enriching research findings.
• The study underscores the importance of triangulation in qualitative research for achieving comprehensive insights.
• Effective use of triangulation enhanced the understanding of the nurse education system's adequacy in Malta.