Essay

Describe the methodology and findings of Trenor and colleagues' (2008) study on female engineering students, and explain how it serves as an example of triangulation.

Question: Describe the methodology and findings of Trenor and colleagues' (2008) study on female engineering students, and explain how it serves as an example of triangulation.

Sample answer: In Trenor and colleagues' (2008) study, the researchers investigated female engineering students' sense of belonging. The methodology first involved a quantitative survey, which found no statistical differences in belonging ratings across ethnic groups. In the second phase, they conducted qualitative interviews, which revealed that minority students felt the university's cultural diversity actively enhanced their sense of belonging. This study demonstrates triangulation by combining quantitative and qualitative components to clarify the survey results and prevent the researchers from drawing an inaccurate conclusion.

Key points:

  • Initially used a quantitative survey to assess female engineering students' sense of belonging.
  • Quantitative survey showed no statistical differences in belonging across ethnic groups.
  • Conducted subsequent qualitative interviews with the students.
  • Qualitative interviews revealed that minority students felt cultural diversity enhanced their sense of belonging.
  • Demonstrated how a qualitative component clarifies quantitative results via triangulation to prevent inaccurate conclusions.

Rubric: The answer must accurately recall the following: 1) the initial quantitative survey phase and its finding of no statistical differences in belonging across ethnicities; 2) the subsequent qualitative interview phase and its finding that minority students felt cultural diversity enhanced their belonging; and 3) how this illustrates triangulation by using a qualitative component to clarify quantitative results and prevent inaccurate conclusions.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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