Two critical points in designing a research method are reliability and validity. Reliability is defined as the extent to which results are consistent over time and an accurate presentation of the total population under study. Additionally, a research instrument can be considered reliable if the results of the study can be replicated using the same methodology (Joppe, 2000). On the other hand, validity can be determined if the research is able to measure that which it was intended to measure or how truthful the research results are (Joppe, 2000). Since researchers have different approaches in testing the reliability and validity of a research design and the applicability of reliability and validity tests used in quantitative researchers remain as a topic of argument among researchers, it is rather a challenge to establish the reliability and validity of this research. In order to solve this, the researcher will employ triangulation. Triangulation as stated by Mathison (1988) is a type of test that can be used to improve the reliability and validity of a research. Since traditional scientific techniques cannot be applied in a qualitative research, triangulation will be used to evaluate, control bias and to establish valid propositions. Accoridng to Patton (2002) using triangulation will help the researcher in strengthening the study by combining methods. Triangulation usually involves combining methods or data and employing both quantitative and qualitative paradigm. In order to confirm and validate the research findings, the researcher will combine different research methods – methodological triangulation. Methodological triangulation is also called multimethod, mixed-method, or methods triangulation. Within the same paradigm, mixing data-collection methods is sensible (Lincoln and Guba, 2000). Some researchers encourage the mixing of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Dzurec and Abraham (1993) argue that qualitative and quantitative studies are designed to understand and explain behavior and events, their components, antecedents and corollaries and consequences. Therefore, blending elements of one with the other is possible. This blending according to Lincoln and Guba (2000) allows the best representation of both worldviews. Qualitative input may help to explain the success of interventions when the numbers fail to answer the question. In other words, methodological triangulation has the potential of exposing unique differences or meaningful information that may have remained undiscovered with the use of only one approach or data collection technique in the study. Similarly, quantitative data can enhance understanding by revealing outliers or unique individual cases.
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