Which method is used to ascertain self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group?

The method that is used to ascertain self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group is through surveys. Surveys are designed to gather data directly from individuals about their thoughts, feelings, preferences, or actions by using questionnaires or interviews. This method allows researchers to obtain quantitative data that reflects the perspectives of a specific population. By asking participants to respond to a series of structured questions, researchers can analyze and interpret the attitudes and behaviors within that group, gaining insights into trends and patterns in the data.

In contrast, case studies focus on an in-depth examination of a single instance or event, making them less effective for gathering broad self-reported data from larger groups. Observation entails watching and recording behaviors as they occur without necessarily asking individuals to report their thoughts or feelings, which means it does not capture subjective self-reports. Experiments involve manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships and typically do not focus on self-reported data unless they include a component that asks participants about their attitudes or behaviors after the fact. Thus, surveys stand out as the most suitable method for directly collecting self-reported information from individuals about their attitudes or behaviors.