Answer:
a.
Explanation:
Based on the information provided within the question it can be said that the type of research method that is being described is called a cross-sectional study. This type of study is mainly defined as observational research in which data is gathered for a single variable in a single point in time but across different sample populations. Which in this case there are three, which are 12-year-olds, 15-year-olds, and 17-year-olds sample populations.