NCCMT
 
McMaster

Public Health Triangulation

Rutherford, G.W., McFarland, W., Spindler, H. et al. Public health triangulation: approach and application to synthesizing data to understand national and local HIV epidemics. BMC Public Health 10, 447 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-447
Example available Journal article

Description

This tool offers a process for synthesizing data from multiple diverse sources of evidence to inform public health actions. The tool focuses on five guiding principles for public health triangulation:

  1. Use existing data.
  2. Synthesize data qualitatively rather than quantitatively.
  3. Include diverse data sources, such as surveillance, research, program data and expert opinion, using both biological and behavioural measures.
  4. Use input from stakeholders to develop the question, identify and assess data, and interpret and disseminate results.
  5. Use the results to inform decision-making.

Steps for Using Method/Tool

The tool guides users through a 12-step process for public health triangulation:

  1. Identify key questions.
  2. Ensure questions are important, actionable, answerable and appropriate for triangulation.
  3. Identify data sources and gather background information.
  4. Refine the questions.
  5. Gather data/reports.
  6. Assess data reliability and make observations from each data set.
  7. Note trends across data sets and hypothesize.
  8. Check (corroborate, refute, modify) hypotheses. Identify additional data and return to step 5.
  9. Summarize findings and draw conclusions.
  10. Share results and recommendations.
  11. Communicate results and recommendations
  12. Outline next steps for action.

These summaries are written by the NCCMT to condense and to provide an overview of the resources listed in the Registry of Methods and Tools and to give suggestions for their use in a public health context. For more information on individual methods and tools included in the review, please consult the authors/developers of the original resources.

We have provided the resources and links as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by McMaster University of any of the products, services or opinions of the external organizations, nor have the external organizations endorsed their resources and links as provided by McMaster University. McMaster University bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites.

Method on pages 4-7

Public Health Triangulation
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