TRIANGULATION IN SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH: GENERAL GUIDELINES

This article points out a series of general guidelines for the implementation of triangulation in pieces of research related to the fields of Social Sciences and Education, based on content analysis of thirteen definitions suggested by various authors between 1959 and 2009. Different types of triangulation are presented, following the methodology that a researcher wishes to emphasize, as well as the advantages, disadvantages and the most common mistakes caused for the use of a given strategy. General guidelines in this regard are disclosed, including: a) identification of thought processes, conscious and intentional, that must primarily be used by the researcher and, b) specific actions for proper use of triangulation as a methodological alternative to approach a research problem from different perspectives.