Final answer:
The most common documents generated using a word processor are Word Documents. While word processors have advanced features akin to professional typesetting, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations are created with other specialized software.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common type of document you use a word processor to generate is D. Word Documents. Word processors have evolved significantly since their introduction. Early word processors produced documents with the same output quality as typewriters, where all characters had the same width and only one font was available. Over time, word processors became more complex, introducing features such as variable width fonts, WYSIWYG editing, allowing what you see is what you get, and the capability to print to high-resolution output devices like laser and inkjet printers. These advancements have enabled users to create documents that can closely resemble those of professional typesetting.
Nevertheless, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations are typically not created using a word processor. Instead, they are created using specialized software like spreadsheet software for spreadsheets, database software for databases, and presentation software for presentations.
When deciding whether to prepare a traditional written document or to use another medium, such as a slide deck or video presentation, consider the nature of the content and the audience for which it is intended. For research purposes, one might need to work with texts in various forms, which could include not only traditional documents but also online databases, images, audio, and video files.