What type of studies involve questionnaires and interviews to gather opinions?

Surveys are specifically designed to gather opinions, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors from individuals through structured questionnaires and interviews. This method allows researchers to collect data from a large number of respondents efficiently, making it an ideal choice for understanding public perspectives or trends. The focus of surveys is on capturing subjective experiences and insights, which distinguishes them from other research types.

Descriptive studies also aim to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon but do not necessarily rely on questionnaires or interviews; they may utilize observational data or existing records instead. Observational studies involve watching and recording behaviors or events in their natural setting without direct interaction or questioning. Experimental studies, on the other hand, involve manipulation of variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships, typically employing controlled conditions rather than gathering opinions through questionnaires or interviews. Thus, the distinction lies in the methodology and the primary focus of the research.