What is a survey primarily used for in data collection?

Surveys are primarily used for collecting data through a series of structured questions posed to respondents. This method allows researchers to gather quantitative and qualitative data on various topics, such as opinions, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences, directly from the target population. By designing questions carefully, surveys can elicit specific information that can be statistically analyzed to identify trends, measure variables, or explore correlations among different factors.

The advantage of using surveys lies in their ability to reach a broad audience relatively quickly and efficiently, often enabling researchers to collect large volumes of data in a limited timeframe. This method also facilitates the standardization of responses, which aids in comparison and analysis across different demographic groups or over time.

In contrast, other options like observing behavior without interaction focuses on data collection via observation rather than direct responses, while analyzing existing datasets deals with secondary data rather than primary data collection through direct questions. Conducting in-depth interviews seeks to gather detailed personal narratives but does so in a more qualitative and less structured manner compared to surveys. Thus, the distinct nature of surveys as a tool for collecting data through questions makes it the primary method highlighted in the question.