Lindy would like to conduct a study to determine how women define spousal abuse and the meanings they attach to their experiences. Lindy would most likely use

In the context of Lindy's study, which aims to explore how women define spousal abuse and the meanings they attach to their experiences, qualitative research methods would be the most suitable approach. Qualitative research is designed to gather in-depth insights into people's perceptions, experiences, and the meanings they derive from them. It often involves interviews, focus groups, or open-ended surveys, which allow participants to express their thoughts and feelings in their own words.

While quantitative research methods, which rely on numerical data and statistical analysis, can provide valuable insights into trends and patterns, they may not fully capture the nuanced understandings and subjective experiences that Lindy's study seeks to explore. This is particularly relevant in issues like spousal abuse, where personal narratives and individual contexts are crucial to understanding the phenomenon.

In summary, the focus on how women interpret and derive meaning from their experiences with spousal abuse aligns well with qualitative research, making it the most appropriate choice for Lindy's study.