Final answer:
The major advantage of Mildred's asking-based method of data collection via surveys is large-scale data collection. Surveys efficiently gather quantitative data and make generalizations to a broader population possible, although they're less suited for collecting in-depth qualitative data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mildred's survey method is instrumental in collecting data from a large number of individuals through a series of questions concerning their behaviors and opinions. A significant advantage of this asking-based method of data collection is d) Large-scale data collection. This allows for the aggregation of data from a vast pool of subjects, leading to conclusions that can potentially be generalized to a broader population. Surveys provide an efficient way to gather quantitative data that can be counted and statistically analyzed, making them highly favorable for studies that aim to understand trends, patterns, or percentages within larger groups.
When considering the collection of in-depth qualitative data, surveys can offer insights but are limited compared to methods like case studies or interviews that delve deeper into personal experiences. Surveys such as the one Mildred conducted are characterized by their standard format, offering individuals a level of anonymity, which may encourage more honest and open responses, particularly when sensitive topics are involved. Ruth W. Howard's extensive survey of triplets can serve as a historical example to show the capability of surveys to handle large-scale research undertakings with substantial effectiveness.