explain, triangulation and reflexivity

Triangulation

A combination of different approaches to collecting and interpreting data

Researcher triangulation

Combining the observations/interpretations of different researchers.

Reflexivity

Researchers should reflect on the possibility that their own biases might have interfered with the observations.

Epistemological reflexivity

Understanding how the strengths and limitations of the method used to collect data may affect the results.

Personal reflexivity

The personal beliefs and expectations of the researcher may affect the results.

What is the aim of the Rosenhan observation study?

To investigate whether psychiatrists in a naturalistic setting could tell the difference between sane and insane people

What was the procedure of the Rosenhan observation study?

Eight healthy subjects tried to gain admission into psychiatric hospitals saying they heard voices in their head, this being the only symptom. Upon admission patients stopped hearing voices, behaved normally and wrote down observations.

What were the results of the Rosenhan observation study?

7 of 8 were admitted to the hospital with schizophrenia and all were released with schizophrenia in remission.

How was the study connected to the target?

They used triangulation by using different hospitals and multiple researchers. Reflexivity was used because Rosenhan chose researchers with unique backgrounds and beliefs.