Final answer:
The most effective way to collect data on sensory preferences of healthcare technicians is to poll them directly through surveys, ensuring direct and reliable collection of pertinent data.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering one approach to collect data for sensory preferences of technicians in a healthcare setting, conducting surveys is a viable method. Specifically, option c) Poll the techs directly, would be the most effective and direct approach. Surveys can be administered in various formats, including online, over the phone, through mail, or face-to-face. By using surveys, researchers can ensure uniformity of the questions posed to the technicians and can gather both quantitative and qualitative data based on closed or open-ended questions. This standardization allows for easier comparison and analysis of the data collected on sensory preferences, leading to more reliable results. Additionally, since the data pertains to the preferences of the technicians themselves, polling them directly removes the need to infer preferences from patient survey responses or from medical or laboratory records.