Final answer:
Surveys are a cost-effective method for collecting uniform data from a large sample, which makes the data easy to compile, report, and analyze.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the data collection methods listed, surveys are relatively inexpensive to administer and provide data in a format that is easy to report and summarize. Surveys collect data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, typically through a questionnaire. This method allows researchers to collect data from a large number of respondents, which facilitates generalizations to the broader population. Moreover, surveys can maintain respondent anonymity and limit questions to be closed-ended for ease of analysis, although open-ended questions may be included for deeper insights.