ABSTRACT
Triangulation, or the process of examining the phenomenon under investigation from multiple perspectives, provides researchers with a way to verify the inferences they draw. By constructing a more comprehensive view of the data, researchers can increase the validity of their studies (Schwandt, 2007) and the conclusions they reach. Triangulation can take many forms, namely, triangulation of data, investigators, theories, and/or methodologies (Denzin, 1989). In this study, we combined between-method and within-method triangulation. We examined whether one data collection method, concurrent verbal reports, can be supplemented and strengthened by a secondary behavioral measure, specifically, finger-tracking data (between-method triangulation). The finger-tracking data served as a proxy for eye-movement data and were coded in two ways (within-method triangulation). We hope that combining concurrent verbal reports and finger-tracking will deepen our understanding of what both data collection methods offer and, more broadly, demonstrate the potential benefits of methodological triangulation in research on the role of awareness in second language acquisition (SLA).
