Define normalization in the context of database design.

Normalization in database design refers to the process of organizing data in a way that reduces redundancy and dependency, thereby improving data integrity. This practice involves structuring a database in accordance with certain rules, known as normal forms, which dictate how data should be stored and related.

By structuring data effectively, normalization helps prevent anomalies during data operations such as insertion, updating, and deletion. It does this by ensuring that each piece of data is stored only once, ideally in one place. For example, in a normalized database, customer information would be stored in a customer table, and order information in an order table, with a relationship between them, rather than repeating customer details in every order entry.

This approach not only makes the database more efficient but also simplifies the maintenance of data, enabling updates to be made in one instance rather than in multiple locations. As a result, normalization plays a crucial role in maintaining accuracy and consistency in a database, thereby enhancing its overall reliability.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of normalization. Enhancing data visualization pertains more to presenting data effectively rather than organizing its structure. Consolidating data into a single table goes against the principles of normalization, which typically demands multiple related tables. Furthermore, creating multiple copies