Data can be collected in different ways depending on what is studied.

• A. Data collection methods are always the same.
• B. Data can be collected in different ways depending on what is studied.
• C. Data collection is unnecessary in most studies.
• D. Data must be collected only by automated instruments.

Answer: (B)

Data collection methods vary to fit what is being studied. Different research questions, data types (like numbers versus opinions), settings, and ethical considerations require different approaches to gather meaningful and reliable information. For example, you might use surveys or interviews to learn what people think about a policy, while you’d rely on sensors or field observations to measure environmental conditions, and archival records to understand historical events. This flexibility is exactly why the statement that data can be collected in different ways depending on what is studied is the best choice.

Other options don’t fit because data collection is not always the same across studies, nor is it unnecessary in most research. And data isn’t limited to automated instruments—manual methods like interviews, observations, and paper surveys are still common, often used in combination with automated tools depending on the situation.