In Recent Years, Sociologists Who Study Deviance Have Learned That

In recent years, sociologists who study deviance have learned that they can measure the quantities of narcotics consumed by a community by testing its sewage before treatment. What part of the research process would the sociologists be carrying out when they visit the sewage treatment plant?

A) analyzing data
B) disseminating the findings
C) forming a hypothesis
D) collecting data
E) developing an operational definition