If you are stopped by a person at your local mall and asked questions about your age, income, and your use of Colgate toothpaste, you probably are participating in what type of research?

The scenario describes a situation where an individual is approached and questioned about personal details such as age, income, and toothpaste usage. This direct engagement to gather specific information from individuals is characteristic of survey research. Surveys are used to collect data from a sample population to understand opinions, behaviors, and characteristics. The goal is to gather quantitative or qualitative data, typically through structured questions that can be analyzed statistically.

In this case, the focus on personal characteristics and brand usage, along with the method of data collection—asking direct questions—fits perfectly within the realm of surveys. They allow researchers to gather insights into consumer behavior and preferences efficiently.

Surveys can take many forms, including face-to-face interviews, online questionnaires, or telephone interviews, but the central idea remains the same: they aim to gather information from respondents to analyze trends or behaviors within a larger population.