What is the process of gathering information through phone calls called?

The process of gathering information through phone calls is known as a telephone interview. This method involves a one-on-one conversation between a researcher and a respondent, typically conducted over the phone. Telephone interviews are particularly valuable for collecting qualitative data, as they allow the interviewer to ask open-ended questions and follow up for more detailed answers based on the respondent's replies.

Telephone interviews can be advantageous because they tend to be more personal than other forms of data collection, such as surveys conducted online or via mail. They can also yield higher response rates since the interviewer can encourage participation and clarify any questions or concerns the respondent may have during the interaction. This direct communication helps ensure that the data collected is more accurate and comprehensive.

Other methods listed, such as focus groups, surveys, and polling, involve different approaches to data collection. Focus groups gather insights from a small group of individuals discussing a topic collectively, while surveys typically involve standardized questions delivered to many respondents through various mediums, including online, written, or oral formats. Polling is often a quick gathering of opinions or preferences from a population but doesn't always involve in-depth conversations like telephone interviews do. Thus, the distinctive characteristics of the telephone interview make it the correct answer for this question.