When faced with slow response times in a web application using Entity Framework, what approaches can be taken to diagnose and address these performance issues?

Implementing caching mechanisms, such as output caching or query caching, can significantly improve response times in a web application using Entity Framework. Caching frequently accessed data or query results reduces the need for repetitive database queries, thereby enhancing performance and scalability. By implementing caching mechanisms strategically, developers can mitigate the impact of slow database operations and improve overall application responsiveness.