What does survey research primarily focus on?

Survey research primarily focuses on collecting data through surveys or questionnaires. This method is designed to gather self-reported information from participants about their thoughts, feelings, opinions, and behaviors. By using surveys, researchers can collect a large amount of data efficiently and can reach diverse populations, making it a powerful tool in social sciences.

Surveys can be administered in various formats, including online, in-person, or by telephone, and they can include various question types such as multiple-choice, open-ended, or Likert scale questions. This versatility allows researchers to tailor their surveys to specific research questions and objectives, facilitating the collection of relevant data.

The other options involve different research methodologies. Analyzing statistical software pertains to data analysis rather than data collection. Conducting experiments with control groups focuses on testing causal relationships and requires an experimental design, which is distinct from the observational nature of surveys. Measuring changes over time typically involves longitudinal studies that track the same subjects over multiple points, which is a different approach compared to the snapshot provided by survey methods.