In psychological research, a survey is primarily used for what purpose?

Surveys are primarily used in psychological research to collect quantitative and qualitative data from groups. This method enables researchers to gather information from a larger sample size, which enhances the generalizability of the results. By using structured questions, surveys can quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and demographics, allowing for statistical analysis. Additionally, open-ended questions in surveys can provide qualitative insights into participants' thoughts and feelings.

Surveys are particularly valuable in exploratory research where understanding the broader patterns and trends within a population is important. They are efficient for collecting data from large numbers of participants, which can help in identifying correlations or differences in behaviors and attitudes among diverse groups. This widespread data collection helps researchers formulate hypotheses for further study and understand the psychological phenomena being investigated.