Begley C M
Faculty of Nursing, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
J Adv Nurs. 1996 Oct;24(4):688-93. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.1996.02446.x.
Triangulation is a credible and useful method of conducting research which can result in an increase in both quality and quantity of data gathered. The five documented types of triangulation (data, investigator, theoretical, methodological, unit of analysis) do not completely answer all the needs of nurse researchers, particularly in the field of qualitative research. Using more than one method of data collection from within the same research tradition (within-method triangulation) is an accepted and effective technique. Extending the concept of triangulation to include the development of research tools leads to the proposal that the conscious use of two or three types of communication within each qualitative research instrument would improve its effectiveness over a tool which used only one type. This application of 'triangulation of communication skills' is considered within each of the major qualitative research tools, and the benefits outlined. The implications for nursing research and nurse researchers of consciously using non-verbal cues to supplement verbal information are described. It is suggested that using triangulation of communication skills in this way may improve the validity of data obtained and, if clearly documented, increase the credibility of the findings. In particular, when conducting qualitative interviews, the expert use of triangulation of communication skills will enhance the quality and quantity of data gathered. To this end, novice researchers need education and practice in using communication skills to best effect, in order to ensure the validity and completeness of their findings.
三角互证法是一种可靠且有用的研究方法，它能够增加所收集数据的质量和数量。已记录的五种三角互证法类型（数据、研究者、理论、方法、分析单位）并不能完全满足护理研究人员的所有需求，尤其是在定性研究领域。在同一研究传统内使用多种数据收集方法（方法内三角互证法）是一种被认可且有效的技术。将三角互证法的概念扩展到包括研究工具的开发，从而提出在每个定性研究工具中自觉使用两三种沟通方式会比仅使用一种沟通方式的工具更有效。本文在每种主要的定性研究工具中都考虑了“沟通技巧三角互证法”的这种应用，并概述了其益处。描述了自觉使用非语言线索来补充语言信息对护理研究和护理研究人员的影响。建议以这种方式使用沟通技巧三角互证法可能会提高所获数据的效度，并且如果记录清晰，会增加研究结果的可信度。特别是在进行定性访谈时，专家级地运用沟通技巧三角互证法将提高所收集数据的质量和数量。为此，新手研究人员需要接受教育并练习如何最佳地运用沟通技巧，以确保其研究结果的效度和完整性。
