Methodological basis of using triangulation in sociological research

Authors

  • Elena E. Kuchko Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

qualitative methodology, quantitative methodology, triangulation, research strategies in sociology

Abstract

The article examines the specifics of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches in sociology. The historical reconstruction of the dynamics of the development of these directions makes it possible to better understand their relationship, to determine the possibilities of their interaction in the study of social reality. In connection with this, the article presents the features of qualitative and quantitative methodological strategies of sociological research, their differences are justified. Positions regarding qualitative and quantitative strategies in Western and domestic sociology were considered. The importance of integrating methods, methodological strategies, theoretical paradigms in the research process is shown. Classical phase and priority-sequential models of methodological integration are considered. Various methods and methodological strategies have both advantages and disadvantages. Currently, the view on qualitative and quantitative methods has changed: they are considered as interacting, complementary. Triangulation as a strategy for the interaction of qualitative and quantitative approaches in the study of social problems using qualitative and quantitative methods of collecting and analysing sociological information increases the completeness and reliability of the information received expands research capabilities.

Author Biography

  • Elena E. Kuchko, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    doctor of science (sociology), full professor; professor at the department of sociology, faculty of philosophy and social sciences

References

  1. Belanovskii SA. [Free interview as a method of sociological research]. Sotsiologiya: metodologiya, metody, matematicheskie modeli. 1991;2:5–19. Russian.
  2. Yadov VA. Strategiya sotsiologicheskogo issledovaniya. Opisanie, ob’yasnenie, ponimanie sotsial’noi real’nosti [Sociological research strategy: description, explanation, understanding of social reality]. Moscow: Dobrosvet; 1998. 600 p. Russian.
  3. Weber M. Izbrannye proizvedeniya [Selected works]. Gaidenko PP, compiler. Moscow: Progress; 1990. 808 p. Russian.
  4. Balobanova ES. [On the complex nature of sociological research]. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya. 2002;10:11 16. Russian.
  5. Bozhkov OB, Gotlib AS, Grishina EA, Kultygin VP, Tolstova YuN. [Qualitative and quantitative analysis: organic unity or autonomy]. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya. 2004;9:3–14. Russian.
  6. Bauman Z. [Philosophical connections and impressions of postmodern sociology]. Voprosy sotsiologii. 1992;2:8–24. Russian.
  7. Cook TD, Reichardt CS. Qualitative and quantitative methods in evaluation research. Beverly Hills: Sage; 1979. 160 p.
  8. Demin AN. [Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches in the research cycle]. Sotsiologiya: metodologiya, metody, matematicheskie modeli. 1999;11:5–26. Russian.
  9. Bryman A. The debate about qualitative and quantitative research: а question of method or epistemology? The British Journal of Sociology. 1984;35(1):75–92.
  10. Morgan DI. Practical strategies for combining qualitative and quantitateve methods. Applications to health research. Qualitative Health Research. 1998;8:362–376.
  11. Savinskaya OB, Istomina AG. Conceptual ideas of mixed methods research: based on a roundtable materials. Sotsiologiya: metodologiya, metody, matematicheskie modeli. 2015;41:142–149. Russian.
  12. Polukhina EV, Savinskaya OB. [Through research to a trusting global collaboration: prospects for qualitative research in the 21st century]. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya. 2014;1:122–125. Russian.
  13. Kosharnaya GB, Kosharny VP. Triangulation as a means ensuring validity of empirical study results. Social Science. Sociology. 2016;2(38):117–122. Russian. DOI: 10.21685/2072-3016-2016-2-13.
  14. Belanovskii SA. Metod fokus-grupp [Method of focus groups]. Moscow: Nikkolo-Media; 2001. 280 p. Russian.
  15. Rotman DG, Pravdivets VV, editors. Metody sotsiologicheskogo izucheniya osobennostei funktsionirovaniya politicheskogo polya [Methods of sociological study of the peculiarities of the functioning of the political field]. Minsk: Belarusian State University; 2007. 139 p. Russian.
  16. Rotman DG. Izbrannoe [Selected works]. Minsk: State Institute of Management and Social Technologies of the Belarusian State University; 2009. 386 p. Russian.
  17. Polukhina EV, Prosyanyuk DV. Mixed methods research: integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches. METOD. Moskovskii ezhegodnik trudov iz obshchestvovedcheskikh distsiplin [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2023 January 31]. Available from: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/issledovaniya-so-smeshannymi-metodami-mixed-methods-research-integratsiyakolichestvennogo-i-kachestvennogo-podhodov/viewer. Russian.
  18. Bolshakov NV. Bring together, combine and mix: qualitative and quantitative methods in modern research practices. Monitoring of Public Opinion. Economic and Social Changes. 2017;3:21–29. DOI: 10.14515/monitoring.2017.3.03.
  19. Savinskaya OB, Istomina AG, Larkina TYU, Kruglova KD. Conceptual ideas of mixed methods research: stages of development and current debates. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya. 2016;8:21–29. Russian.

Downloads

Published

2023-03-13

How to Cite

[1]
Kuchko, E.E. 2023. Methodological basis of using triangulation in sociological research. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Sociology. 1 (Mar. 2023), 46–52. DOI:https://doi.org/10.33581/2521-6821-2023-1-46-52.