Multiple methods beyond triangulation: collage as a methodological framework in geography

Abstract

Triangulation is increasingly being seen as a concept that has lost clarity and become too broad to be of use. A new language is required to explain how and why researchers bring together multiple perspectives to study phenomena. By drawing on my own research experiences I propose 'collage' as a framework for using multiple methods in geography. This framework differs from triangulation in two important ways: firstly, it brings multiple methods together to elucidate a broad research area rather than a precise one, and secondly, it allows for greater spontaneity and the shifting of the frame of research. This paper explains how multiple methods can be used to gather fragments of knowledge on a topic that, when pieced together, can create a more complex understanding of the wider research area. A focus on this process emphasizes the role of the researcher in putting the pieces together.

Emerging research methods in environmental displacement and forced migration research

“…A majority of the articles (37.8% or 14 out of 37 studies) we reviewed took a mixed‐method approach toward diverse aspects of displacement research. A mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods is employed to understand the same issue from several angles, or as some refer to it, triangulation or “collage” focused methodological choices (see Freeman, 2020). Researchers doing mixed‐method research tend to rely on a variety of surveys, interviews, spatial analysis, statistical analysis, and modeling to further investigate displacement.…”

‘Fixing’ destitute children: The relational geography of an early twentieth century children's home through its archives

“…While this does not include children's viewpoints, it does provide insight into everyday life at the Home . By patching multiple data sources together into a ‘collage’ (Freeman, 2020), the archives become a richer, livelier subject despite their gaps.…”

The And Article: Collage as Research Method

“…3–4). Similarly, Freeman cites openness to spontaneity as an important strength of the collage method and argues that collage in fact “excels through its messiness” (Freeman, 2020, pp. 17–19).…”