Dr. Baker aims to study cancer survivors' satisfaction with online cancer support groups. Considering the diverse backgrounds of respondents, what is the best approach?

Using open-ended questions to explore a range of experiences is the most effective approach for Dr. Baker's study on cancer survivors' satisfaction with online support groups. This method allows participants to express their thoughts and emotions in their own words, capturing the nuances and diversity of their individual experiences. It facilitates a deeper understanding of their feelings, specific concerns, and varying backgrounds, which are essential in qualitative research.

Open-ended questions encourage respondents to provide richer and more detailed information, leading to insights that might not emerge from more structured question formats. This is particularly important in research settings where participants come from diverse backgrounds, as it ensures that the study captures the complexity of their experiences and perspectives.

In contrast, limiting questions to yes/no answers or using multiple-choice questions exclusively might restrict the depth of the responses and result in the loss of valuable information. Focusing solely on quantitative data also neglects the qualitative aspects that can provide critical context and understanding of participant satisfaction. Thus, the overall richness and variety of the data gathered through open-ended questions significantly outweigh the benefits of the other approaches in this specific research context.