A survey is a research method used to collect data from a group of people, often referred to as a sample. It typically involves asking questions to gather information about opinions, behaviors, or characteristics. Surveys can be conducted through various formats, including online questionnaires, telephone interviews, or face-to-face interactions. The main objective of a survey is to understand trends or patterns within a population, which can help inform decisions in fields like marketing, social science, and public health. By analyzing survey results, researchers can draw conclusions and make predictions about larger groups based on the responses collected.