What methodological approach uses multiple methods to enhance the quality of qualitative research?

The correct answer is triangulation, which refers to the methodological approach that employs multiple methods, data sources, or theoretical perspectives to cross-verify and enhance the credibility and validity of research findings in qualitative studies. By integrating various approaches, researchers can obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the research topic, reduce biases, and strengthen the reliability of the outcomes.

Triangulation can take several forms, such as method triangulation, where different qualitative methods (e.g., interviews and focus groups) are used to study the same phenomenon; data triangulation, which involves gathering data from different sources (e.g., different demographic groups or settings); and theoretical triangulation, wherein multiple theoretical frameworks guide the interpretation of the data. This multifaceted approach allows for a more nuanced interpretation and helps to confirm findings, as different methods and perspectives can illuminate various aspects of the same issue.

Other options, such as Jefferson transcription, focus on specific techniques within qualitative research and do not encompass the broader methodological strategy that triangulation represents. Case-control studies are more typically associated with epidemiological research and are not directly relevant to qualitative research methodologies. Discourse analysis, while a specific qualitative research method, does not inherently involve the incorporation of multiple methodologies to strengthen research findings. Thus, triangulation remains