What method gathers information through questionnaires, telephone inquiries, or interviews?

The method that gathers information through questionnaires, telephone inquiries, or interviews is known as a survey. This approach allows researchers to collect data from a specific population or sample by asking questions directly to participants. Surveys can be designed in various formats, including open-ended or closed-ended questions, and they are particularly useful for obtaining quantitative data or qualitative insights about opinions, behaviors, or demographic information.

Surveys are widely used in various fields, including marketing, social sciences, and health research, because they can reach a large number of respondents efficiently and can be administered in person, over the phone, or online. The structured nature of surveys enables the systematic collection of information, making it easier to analyze trends and draw conclusions based on the responses received.

In contrast, observation involves watching subjects in their natural environment without interaction, a case study focuses on an in-depth analysis of a single event or situation, and experimentation relies on manipulating variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships. Each of these methods serves different purposes and is used in different research contexts.