The Constructivist Credo by Yvonna S. Lincoln & Egon G. Guba

Author:Yvonna S. Lincoln & Egon G. Guba [Yvonna S. Lincoln]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Routledge

Triangulation of Methods

This technique refers to using multiple forms of data collection to ensure accuracy of the data (Lincoln & Guba, 1985). By design, this research study used three forms of data collection methods: interviews, participant observations, and document analyses.

Triangulation of Theories

This technique refers to confirming a piece of data against multiple implicit and explicit theories (Lincoln & Guba, 1985; Y.S. Lincoln, personal communication, December 17, 2007). Although Lincoln and Guba (1985) initially considered this method of triangulation to be "epistemologically unsound" (p. 307), Lincoln's current thoughts are that researchers carrying out naturalistic inquiries do indeed triangulate their data against theories and this method can be used to ensure credibility.

I chose to confirm my data against two implicit theories and two explicit theories. The two implicit theories were: (a) teaching using educational technology is more effective than teaching traditionally without using educational technology; and (b) leadership support (e.g., department chair support) will help alleviate some of the first-order barriers (e.g., lack of technical support personnel) that confound teaching using educational technology. The explicit theories were: (a) human capital theory—economic gain can be achieved at the individual, organizational, or societal level as a result of investment in the human capital usually in the form of education and training (Becker, 1992; Sweetland, 1996; Schultz, 1961; Torraco, 2001); and (b) technology for social inclusion—attending to physical, digital, human, and social resources is necessary if technology is to be integrated meaningfully into society, or in the context of my dissertation study, into public research universities.

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