What is a characteristic of a survey as a research method?

Surveys are a widely used research method primarily designed to gather data about people's attitudes, perceptions, opinions, and behaviors. The key aspect of surveys is their ability to collect quantitative or qualitative data from a sample of individuals through structured questions, which can include multiple-choice, Likert scales, or open-ended responses.

This method allows researchers to quantify subjective measures like beliefs and feelings, making it possible to analyze trends, correlations, and differences among various populations. Analyzing survey data can help in understanding public sentiment, customer satisfaction, or other social phenomena, providing valuable insights that can inform decisions or further research.

In contrast, the other options highlight characteristics of different research methods. Experimental research involves manipulating independent variables and controlling conditions, which is not characteristic of surveys. Randomized control groups are fundamental to experimental designs rather than survey methodologies. Historical analysis focuses on examining past events and contexts, which differs fundamentally from the primary aim of a survey to gather current data about people's attitudes and perceptions.