2.1. Research approach

This was a cross-sectional study conducted through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire survey is a research method involving the use of questionnaires to collect data directly from persons involved in the research through a set of questions organized in a particular order and intended to capture responses in a standardized manner. This has become one of the most frequently used methods for quantitative research. It allows obtaining information about a given phenomenon by formulating questions that reflect the thoughts, opinions, and perceptions of a group of individuals [19].

One of the most recent types of questionnaire survey is an online or web survey that can be administered by forwarding a web link by email. These systems offer several benefits such as low cost and immediate availability of the results in an online database. The management of the surveying campaign is also very simple and allows for a real-time check of responses, scheduling of reminders, etc. This type of questionnaire survey was selected for the present study because of the possibility to reach the entire population at a low cost and in short times.