Final answer:
An impact assessment is the best tool to determine the differential impact of a policy on various populations, integrating data analysis and possibly using surveys or focus groups for more detailed insights.
Step-by-step explanation:
When determining the potential differential impact of a policy on various populations, an impact assessment is a valuable tool. This practice involves a systematic analysis of the potential effects of a policy, including social, economic, and environmental factors. An impact assessment typically includes elements of data analysis and may incorporate findings from surveys or focus groups to enrich the understanding of the effects on different demographic groups.
Surveys can collect quantitative and qualitative data, making them useful for a range of topics, but they may face limitations such as response bias or sampling issues. On the other hand, focus groups can provide in-depth insights but might not be as representative of the larger population. Ultimately, the choice of method—survey, focus group, data analysis, or otherwise—depends on the research question, and sometimes, the most comprehensive approach is to use a combination of these methods.