Which qualitative approach emphasizes the co-construction of meaning between the researcher and participants?

The answer is grounded in the core principles of qualitative research methodologies. The approach that emphasizes the co-construction of meaning between the researcher and participants is participatory action research. This methodology values collaboration between researchers and participants, acknowledging that knowledge is created through dialogue and interaction rather than solely by the researcher imparting their understanding.

In participatory action research, participants actively engage in the research process, contributing their insights, experiences, and interpretations, which helps shape the research outcomes. This contrasts with other approaches such as phenomenology, which seeks to understand individual lived experiences without a strong collaborative element in the meaning-making process. Grounded theory focuses on generating theories from data gathered during research but does not inherently prioritize co-construction of meaning. Similarly, case studies aim to provide an in-depth understanding of a specific instance or phenomenon, typically analyzed through the lens of the researcher’s perspective.

Thus, participatory action research is uniquely centered around the dynamic interplay between researcher and participant, making it the correct choice for this question.