Final answer:
Survey research is a method that collects data focused on a specific problem by using questionnaires to gather information on behaviors and opinions, and can reflect both quantitative and qualitative aspects of research questions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Survey research is a method of collecting data that focuses on a well-defined problem. It collects data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire. This method is one of the most widely used in scientific research methods, and it can be used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data.
Quantitative research is characterized by its use of statistical methods to collect specific data that can be replicated in a controlled environment, often utilizing surveys with a large number of participants to uncover patterns of human behavior. On the other hand, qualitative research seeks to understand human behavior through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and content analysis of various sources.
Different research questions can lead sociologists to choose different research methods, such as surveys, ethnographic field research, interviews, historical secondary data analysis, and content analysis. Survey research, while allowing for the collection of data on large samples, does have its limitations, such as being subject to issues of self-reported data. Nonetheless, when the research question is well-defined and the goal is to obtain data that can be generalized to the larger population, survey research is an apt choice.