Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes quantitative data collection methods?

1. Interviews and discussions

2. Quantitative analysis of behavioral trends

3. Surveys and structured polls

4. Observation of natural settings

The correct answer is: Surveys and structured polls

Quantitative data collection methods are best characterized by their structured approach to gathering data that can be quantified and analyzed statistically. Surveys and structured polls are prime examples of this method as they utilize predetermined questions and response options that yield numerical data. This allows for the collection of a large amount of data that can be easily analyzed to draw conclusions or identify trends. In contrast, other methods such as interviews and discussions tend to be qualitative in nature because they focus on open-ended questions and personal insights, which do not produce easily quantifiable data. Similarly, the observation of natural settings can yield both quantitative and qualitative data, but it is often less structured and more subjective than surveys and structured polls. Quantitative analysis of behavioral trends is the outcome of data collection rather than a method itself; it refers to the process of interpreting the data once it has been collected. Thus, the most accurate representation of quantitative data collection methods is indeed surveys and structured polls.