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• Exploratory Research | Definition, Guide, & Examples

Exploratory Research | Definition, Guide, & Examples

Published on December 6, 2021 by Tegan George . Revised on November 20, 2023.

Exploratory research is a methodology approach that investigates research questions that have not previously been studied in depth.

Exploratory research is often qualitative and primary in nature. However, a study with a large sample conducted in an exploratory manner can be quantitative as well. It is also often referred to as interpretive research or a grounded theory approach due to its flexible and open-ended nature.

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When to use exploratory research, exploratory research questions, exploratory research data collection, step-by-step example of exploratory research, exploratory vs. explanatory research, advantages and disadvantages of exploratory research, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about exploratory research.

Exploratory research is often used when the issue you’re studying is new or when the data collection process is challenging for some reason.

You can use this type of research if you have a general idea or a specific question that you want to study but there is no preexisting knowledge or paradigm with which to study it.

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Exploratory research questions are designed to help you understand more about a particular topic of interest. They can help you connect ideas to understand the groundwork of your analysis without adding any preconceived notions or assumptions yet.

Here are some examples:

• What effect does using a digital notebook have on the attention span of middle schoolers?
• What factors influence mental health in undergraduates?
• What outcomes are associated with an authoritative parenting style?
• In what ways does the presence of a non-native accent affect intelligibility?
• How can the use of a grocery delivery service reduce food waste in single-person households?

Collecting information on a previously unexplored topic can be challenging. Exploratory research can help you narrow down your topic and formulate a clear hypothesis and problem statement , as well as giving you the “lay of the land” on your topic.

Data collection using exploratory research is often divided into primary and secondary research methods, with data analysis following the same model.

Primary research

In primary research, your data is collected directly from primary sources : your participants. There is a variety of ways to collect primary data.

Some examples include:

• Survey methodology: Sending a survey out to the student body asking them if they would eat vegan meals
• Focus groups: Compiling groups of 8–10 students and discussing what they think of vegan options for dining hall food
• Interviews: Interviewing students entering and exiting the dining hall, asking if they would eat vegan meals

Secondary research

In secondary research, your data is collected from preexisting primary research, such as experiments or surveys.

Some other examples include:

• Case studies : Health of an all-vegan diet
• Literature reviews : Preexisting research about students’ eating habits and how they have changed over time
• Online polls, surveys, blog posts, or interviews; social media: Have other schools done something similar?

For some subjects, it’s possible to use large- n government data, such as the decennial census or yearly American Community Survey (ACS) open-source data.

How you proceed with your exploratory research design depends on the research method you choose to collect your data. In most cases, you will follow five steps.

We’ll walk you through the steps using the following example.

Therefore, you would like to focus on improving intelligibility instead of reducing the learner’s accent.

Step 1: Identify your problem

The first step in conducting exploratory research is identifying what the problem is and whether this type of research is the right avenue for you to pursue. Remember that exploratory research is most advantageous when you are investigating a previously unexplored problem.

Step 2: Hypothesize a solution

The next step is to come up with a solution to the problem you’re investigating. Formulate a hypothetical statement to guide your research.

Step 3. Design your methodology

Next, conceptualize your data collection and data analysis methods and write them up in a research design.

Step 4: Collect and analyze data

Next, you proceed with collecting and analyzing your data so you can determine whether your preliminary results are in line with your hypothesis.

In most types of research, you should formulate your hypotheses a priori and refrain from changing them due to the increased risk of Type I errors and data integrity issues. However, in exploratory research, you are allowed to change your hypothesis based on your findings, since you are exploring a previously unexplained phenomenon that could have many explanations.

Step 5: Avenues for future research

Decide if you would like to continue studying your topic. If so, it is likely that you will need to change to another type of research. As exploratory research is often qualitative in nature, you may need to conduct quantitative research with a larger sample size to achieve more generalizable results.

It can be easy to confuse exploratory research with explanatory research. To understand the relationship, it can help to remember that exploratory research lays the groundwork for later explanatory research.

Exploratory research investigates research questions that have not been studied in depth. The preliminary results often lay the groundwork for future analysis.

Explanatory research questions tend to start with “why” or “how”, and the goal is to explain why or how a previously studied phenomenon takes place.

Like any other research design , exploratory studies have their trade-offs: they provide a unique set of benefits but also come with downsides.

• It can be very helpful in narrowing down a challenging or nebulous problem that has not been previously studied.
• It can serve as a great guide for future research, whether your own or another researcher’s. With new and challenging research problems, adding to the body of research in the early stages can be very fulfilling.
• It is very flexible, cost-effective, and open-ended. You are free to proceed however you think is best.

Disadvantages

• It usually lacks conclusive results, and results can be biased or subjective due to a lack of preexisting knowledge on your topic.
• It’s typically not externally valid and generalizable, and it suffers from many of the challenges of qualitative research .
• Since you are not operating within an existing research paradigm, this type of research can be very labor-intensive.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Degrees of freedom
• Null hypothesis
• Discourse analysis
• Control groups
• Mixed methods research
• Non-probability sampling
• Quantitative research
• Ecological validity

Research bias

• Rosenthal effect
• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Selection bias
• Negativity bias
• Status quo bias

Exploratory research is a methodology approach that explores research questions that have not previously been studied in depth. It is often used when the issue you’re studying is new, or the data collection process is challenging in some way.

Exploratory research aims to explore the main aspects of an under-researched problem, while explanatory research aims to explain the causes and consequences of a well-defined problem.

You can use exploratory research if you have a general idea or a specific question that you want to study but there is no preexisting knowledge or paradigm with which to study it.

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to systematically measure variables and test hypotheses . Qualitative methods allow you to explore concepts and experiences in more detail.

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Home » Exploratory Research – Types, Methods and Examples

Exploratory Research – Types, Methods and Examples

Table of Contents

Exploratory Research

Definition:

Exploratory research is a type of research design that is used to investigate a research question when the researcher has limited knowledge or understanding of the topic or phenomenon under study.

The primary objective of exploratory research is to gain insights and gather preliminary information that can help the researcher better define the research problem and develop hypotheses or research questions for further investigation.

Exploratory Research Methods

There are several types of exploratory research, including:

Literature Review

This involves conducting a comprehensive review of existing published research, scholarly articles, and other relevant literature on the research topic or problem. It helps to identify the gaps in the existing knowledge and to develop new research questions or hypotheses.

Pilot Study

A pilot study is a small-scale preliminary study that helps the researcher to test research procedures, instruments, and data collection methods. This type of research can be useful in identifying any potential problems or issues with the research design and refining the research procedures for a larger-scale study.

This involves an in-depth analysis of a particular case or situation to gain insights into the underlying causes, processes, and dynamics of the issue under investigation. It can be used to develop a more comprehensive understanding of a complex problem, and to identify potential research questions or hypotheses.

Focus Groups

Focus groups involve a group discussion that is conducted to gather opinions, attitudes, and perceptions from a small group of individuals about a particular topic. This type of research can be useful in exploring the range of opinions and attitudes towards a topic, identifying common themes or patterns, and generating ideas for further research.

Expert Opinion

This involves consulting with experts or professionals in the field to gain their insights, expertise, and opinions on the research topic. This type of research can be useful in identifying the key issues and concerns related to the topic, and in generating ideas for further research.

Observational Research

Observational research involves gathering data by observing people, events, or phenomena in their natural settings to gain insights into behavior and interactions. This type of research can be useful in identifying patterns of behavior and interactions, and in generating hypotheses or research questions for further investigation.

Open-ended Surveys

Open-ended surveys allow respondents to provide detailed and unrestricted responses to questions, providing valuable insights into their attitudes, opinions, and perceptions. This type of research can be useful in identifying common themes or patterns, and in generating ideas for further research.

Data Analysis Methods

Exploratory Research Data Analysis Methods are as follows:

Content Analysis

This method involves analyzing text or other forms of data to identify common themes, patterns, and trends. It can be useful in identifying patterns in the data and developing hypotheses or research questions. For example, if the researcher is analyzing social media posts related to a particular topic, content analysis can help identify the most frequently used words, hashtags, and topics.

Thematic Analysis

This method involves identifying and analyzing patterns or themes in qualitative data such as interviews or focus groups. The researcher identifies recurring themes or patterns in the data and then categorizes them into different themes. This can be helpful in identifying common patterns or themes in the data and developing hypotheses or research questions. For example, a thematic analysis of interviews with healthcare professionals about patient care may identify themes related to communication, patient satisfaction, and quality of care.

Cluster Analysis

This method involves grouping data points into clusters based on their similarities or differences. It can be useful in identifying patterns in large datasets and grouping similar data points together. For example, if the researcher is analyzing customer data to identify different customer segments, cluster analysis can be used to group similar customers together based on their demographic, purchasing behavior, or preferences.

Network Analysis

This method involves analyzing the relationships and connections between data points. It can be useful in identifying patterns in complex datasets with many interrelated variables. For example, if the researcher is analyzing social network data, network analysis can help identify the most influential users and their connections to other users.

Grounded Theory

This method involves developing a theory or explanation based on the data collected during the exploratory research process. The researcher develops a theory or explanation that is grounded in the data, rather than relying on pre-existing theories or assumptions. This can be helpful in developing new theories or explanations that are supported by the data.

Applications of Exploratory Research

Exploratory research has many practical applications across various fields. Here are a few examples:

• Marketing Research : In marketing research, exploratory research can be used to identify consumer needs, preferences, and behavior. It can also help businesses understand market trends and identify new market opportunities.
• Product Development: In product development, exploratory research can be used to identify customer needs and preferences, as well as potential design flaws or issues. This can help companies improve their product offerings and develop new products that better meet customer needs.
• Social Science Research: In social science research, exploratory research can be used to identify new areas of study, as well as develop new theories and hypotheses. It can also be used to identify potential research methods and approaches.
• Healthcare Research : In healthcare research, exploratory research can be used to identify new treatments, therapies, and interventions. It can also be used to identify potential risk factors or causes of health problems.
• Education Research: In education research, exploratory research can be used to identify new teaching methods and approaches, as well as identify potential areas of study for further research. It can also be used to identify potential barriers to learning or achievement.

Examples of Exploratory Research

Here are some more examples of exploratory research from different fields:

• Social Science : A researcher wants to study the experience of being a refugee, but there is limited existing research on this topic. The researcher conducts exploratory research by conducting in-depth interviews with refugees to better understand their experiences, challenges, and needs.
• Healthcare : A medical researcher wants to identify potential risk factors for a rare disease but there is limited information available. The researcher conducts exploratory research by reviewing medical records and interviewing patients and their families to identify potential risk factors.
• Education : A teacher wants to develop a new teaching method to improve student engagement, but there is limited information on effective teaching methods. The teacher conducts exploratory research by reviewing existing literature and interviewing other teachers to identify potential approaches.
• Technology : A software developer wants to develop a new app, but is unsure about the features that users would find most useful. The developer conducts exploratory research by conducting surveys and focus groups to identify user preferences and needs.
• Environmental Science : An environmental scientist wants to study the impact of a new industrial plant on the surrounding environment, but there is limited existing research. The scientist conducts exploratory research by collecting and analyzing soil and water samples, and conducting interviews with residents to better understand the impact of the plant on the environment and the community.

How to Conduct Exploratory Research

Here are the general steps to conduct exploratory research:

• Define the research problem: Identify the research problem or question that you want to explore. Be clear about the objective and scope of the research.
• Review existing literature: Conduct a review of existing literature and research on the topic to identify what is already known and where gaps in knowledge exist.
• Determine the research design : Decide on the appropriate research design, which will depend on the nature of the research problem and the available resources. Common exploratory research designs include case studies, focus groups, interviews, and surveys.
• Collect data: Collect data using the chosen research design. This may involve conducting interviews, surveys, or observations, or collecting data from existing sources such as archives or databases.
• Analyze data: Analyze the data collected using appropriate qualitative or quantitative techniques. This may include coding and categorizing qualitative data, or running descriptive statistics on quantitative data.
• I nterpret and report findings: Interpret the findings of the analysis and report them in a way that is clear and understandable. The report should summarize the findings, discuss their implications, and make recommendations for further research or action.
• Iterate : If necessary, refine the research question and repeat the process of data collection and analysis to further explore the topic.

When to use Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is appropriate in situations where there is limited existing knowledge or understanding of a topic, and where the goal is to generate insights and ideas that can guide further research. Here are some specific situations where exploratory research may be particularly useful:

• New product development: When developing a new product, exploratory research can be used to identify consumer needs and preferences, as well as potential design flaws or issues.
• Emerging technologies: When exploring emerging technologies, exploratory research can be used to identify potential uses and applications, as well as potential challenges or limitations.
• Developing research hypotheses: When developing research hypotheses, exploratory research can be used to identify potential relationships or patterns that can be further explored through more rigorous research methods.
• Understanding complex phenomena: When trying to understand complex phenomena, such as human behavior or societal trends, exploratory research can be used to identify underlying patterns or factors that may be influencing the phenomenon.
• Developing research methods : When developing new research methods, exploratory research can be used to identify potential issues or limitations with existing methods, and to develop new methods that better capture the phenomena of interest.

Purpose of Exploratory Research

The purpose of exploratory research is to gain insights and understanding of a research problem or question where there is limited existing knowledge or understanding. The objective is to explore and generate ideas that can guide further research, rather than to test specific hypotheses or make definitive conclusions.

Exploratory research can be used to:

• Identify new research questions: Exploratory research can help to identify new research questions and areas of inquiry, by providing initial insights and understanding of a topic.
• Develop hypotheses: Exploratory research can help to develop hypotheses and testable propositions that can be further explored through more rigorous research methods.
• Identify patterns and trends : Exploratory research can help to identify patterns and trends in data, which can be used to guide further research or decision-making.
• Understand complex phenomena: Exploratory research can help to provide a deeper understanding of complex phenomena, such as human behavior or societal trends, by identifying underlying patterns or factors that may be influencing the phenomena.
• Generate ideas: Exploratory research can help to generate new ideas and insights that can be used to guide further research, innovation, or decision-making.

Characteristics of Exploratory Research

The following are the main characteristics of exploratory research:

• Flexible and open-ended : Exploratory research is characterized by its flexible and open-ended nature, which allows researchers to explore a wide range of ideas and perspectives without being constrained by specific research questions or hypotheses.
• Qualitative in nature : Exploratory research typically relies on qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, or observation, to gather rich and detailed data on the research problem.
• Limited scope: Exploratory research is generally limited in scope, focusing on a specific research problem or question, rather than attempting to provide a comprehensive analysis of a broader phenomenon.
• Preliminary in nature : Exploratory research is preliminary in nature, providing initial insights and understanding of a research problem, rather than testing specific hypotheses or making definitive conclusions.
• I terative process : Exploratory research is often an iterative process, where the research design and methods may be refined and adjusted as new insights and understanding are gained.
• I nductive approach : Exploratory research typically takes an inductive approach to data analysis, seeking to identify patterns and relationships in the data that can guide further research or hypothesis development.

Advantages of Exploratory Research

The following are some advantages of exploratory research:

• Provides initial insights: Exploratory research is useful for providing initial insights and understanding of a research problem or question where there is limited existing knowledge or understanding. It can help to identify patterns, relationships, and potential hypotheses that can guide further research.
• Flexible and adaptable : Exploratory research is flexible and adaptable, allowing researchers to adjust their methods and approach as they gain new insights and understanding of the research problem.
• Qualitative methods : Exploratory research typically relies on qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observation, which can provide rich and detailed data that is useful for gaining insights into complex phenomena.
• Cost-effective : Exploratory research is often less costly than other research methods, such as large-scale surveys or experiments. It is typically conducted on a smaller scale, using fewer resources and participants.
• Useful for hypothesis generation : Exploratory research can be useful for generating hypotheses and testable propositions that can be further explored through more rigorous research methods.
• Provides a foundation for further research: Exploratory research can provide a foundation for further research by identifying potential research questions and areas of inquiry, as well as providing initial insights and understanding of the research problem.

Limitations of Exploratory Research

The following are some limitations of exploratory research:

• Limited generalizability: Exploratory research is typically conducted on a small scale and uses non-random sampling techniques, which limits the generalizability of the findings to a broader population.
• Subjective nature: Exploratory research relies on qualitative methods and is therefore subject to researcher bias and interpretation. The findings may be influenced by the researcher’s own perceptions, beliefs, and assumptions.
• Lack of rigor: Exploratory research is often less rigorous than other research methods, such as experimental research, which can limit the validity and reliability of the findings.
• Limited ability to test hypotheses: Exploratory research is not designed to test specific hypotheses, but rather to generate initial insights and understanding of a research problem. It may not be suitable for testing well-defined research questions or hypotheses.
• Time-consuming : Exploratory research can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, particularly if the researcher needs to gather data from multiple sources or conduct multiple rounds of data collection.
• Difficulty in interpretation: The open-ended nature of exploratory research can make it difficult to interpret the findings, particularly if the researcher is unable to identify clear patterns or relationships in the data.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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Exploratory Research: Definition, Types, Examples

Appinio Research · 12.10.2023 · 29min read

Are you ready to unlock the power of exploration in research? In this guide, we'll navigate the fascinating realm of exploratory research, demystifying its techniques and shedding light on its real-world applications.

Whether you're a seasoned researcher seeking to broaden your methodological toolkit or a novice embarking on your first research endeavor, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights to harness the full potential of exploratory research. Join us as we dive deep into the intricacies of understanding, planning, conducting, and reporting exploratory research, with real-life examples illuminating the way.

What is Exploratory Research?

Exploratory Research is an investigative method used in the early stages of a research project to delve into a topic when little to no existing knowledge or information is available. It is a dynamic and flexible approach aimed at gaining insights, uncovering trends, and generating initial hypotheses. The primary purposes of exploratory research are:

• Understanding Complexity: Exploratory research helps researchers understand the intricate and multifaceted nature of a research topic, especially when the subject matter is not well-defined.
• Idea Generation: It serves as a fertile ground for generating new ideas, hypotheses, and research questions that can guide more focused studies in the future.
• Problem Identification: It helps identify research problems or gaps in existing knowledge, allowing researchers to refine their research objectives.
• Decision Support: Exploratory research provides valuable information for making informed decisions about the direction and scope of a research project.

Importance of Exploratory Research

Exploratory research holds immense significance in the world of research and problem-solving for several reasons:

• Risk Reduction: By exploring a topic before committing to a specific research path, exploratory research helps reduce the risk of pursuing unproductive or irrelevant research.
• Informed Research: It lays the groundwork for subsequent phases of research, ensuring that subsequent studies are well-informed and more likely to yield meaningful results.
• Creative Exploration: It encourages creative and open-minded exploration of topics, making it particularly useful when dealing with novel or emerging issues.
• Adaptability: Exploratory research methods are adaptable and can be tailored to the unique characteristics of a research question or problem.

Types of Exploratory Research

Exploratory research encompasses various methodologies, each designed to suit specific research objectives and contexts. Let's explore these types in more detail:

Literature Review

Literature Review involves a systematic examination of existing research, publications, and sources related to a specific topic. It serves as a comprehensive exploration of the current state of knowledge.

• Purpose: To identify existing theories, concepts, and gaps in the literature related to a research topic.
• Methods: Researchers review academic papers, books, articles, and other scholarly sources. They synthesize and analyze the findings and theories presented in these sources.
• Benefits: A literature review provides a solid foundation for understanding the historical context and key debates surrounding a topic. It helps researchers identify areas where further investigation is needed.

Pilot Studies

Pilot Studies are small-scale research projects conducted before a full-scale study. They serve as test runs to assess the feasibility of research methods and data collection tools.

• Purpose: To test research procedures, instruments, and methodologies in a controlled environment.
• Methods: Researchers select a smaller sample and conduct data collection and analysis as if it were a full study.
• Benefits: Pilot studies help identify potential problems, refine research designs, and improve the quality of data collection.

Case Studies

Case Studies involve an in-depth examination of a specific individual, group, organization, or event. They offer a holistic view of a particular phenomenon.

• Purpose: To explore real-life contexts and understand complex, unique situations.
• Methods: Researchers gather data through interviews, observations, and document analysis, providing rich, contextual insights.
• Benefits: Case studies provide a deep understanding of specific instances, allowing researchers to extract valuable lessons or generate hypotheses for broader research.

Focus Groups

Focus Groups bring together a small group of participants to engage in open and structured discussions about a particular topic.

• Purpose: To explore group dynamics, collective opinions, and shared perceptions on a specific subject.
• Methods: Researchers facilitate group discussions with carefully designed questions, encouraging participants to express their thoughts and experiences.
• Benefits: Focus groups reveal diverse perspectives, uncover latent issues, and provide qualitative data for further investigation.

In-depth Interviews

In-depth Interviews involve one-on-one conversations between a researcher and a participant, allowing for detailed exploration of experiences, opinions, and perceptions.

• Purpose: To gain in-depth insights into individual perspectives and experiences.
• Methods: Researchers use open-ended questions to guide interviews, creating a conversational and exploratory atmosphere.
• Benefits: In-depth interviews provide rich, nuanced data and are well-suited for studying sensitive topics or personal experiences.

Observational Research

Observational Research entails the systematic observation and recording of behaviors, events, or phenomena in their natural settings.

• Purpose: To understand behavior or phenomena as they naturally occur in their real-world context.
• Methods: Researchers select settings, define variables, and record data through direct observations.
• Benefits: Observational research captures authentic behavior and context, offering insights that might be missed in controlled environments.

Content Analysis

Content Analysis is a method for analyzing textual, visual, or audio content to uncover patterns, themes, or trends.

• Purpose: To explore and understand the content and communication surrounding a particular topic or media.
• Methods: Researchers define coding categories, code content based on these categories, and analyze the frequency and patterns of codes.
• Benefits: Content analysis provides quantitative and qualitative insights into the content of documents, media, or communication channels.

These various types of exploratory research methods offer researchers a versatile toolkit for diving into the unknown and gaining valuable insights, setting the stage for further investigation and discovery.

How to Plan and Design Exploratory Research?

In the planning and design phase of exploratory research, careful consideration of key elements is crucial to ensure the research objectives are met effectively. Let's delve into these elements:

1. Research Objectives

Before embarking on exploratory research, it's essential to define clear and specific research objectives.

• Purpose: Research objectives should clarify what you aim to achieve through your exploratory study. Are you looking to understand a phenomenon, generate hypotheses, identify research gaps, or explore new concepts?
• Specificity: Objectives should be well-defined, leaving no room for ambiguity. They should guide your research process and serve as a benchmark for success.
• Alignment: Ensure that your research objectives align with the broader goals of your research project and contribute to the generation of valuable insights.

2. Data Collection Methods

Selecting appropriate data collection methods is a critical step in planning exploratory research.

The choice of methods should align with your research objectives.

• Method Suitability: Consider the nature of your research question. Qualitative methods like interviews and focus groups are ideal for exploring subjective experiences, while quantitative methods may be more suitable for gathering numerical data.
• Data Sources: Identify the sources of data you will tap into, whether it's primary data (collected directly) or secondary data (existing sources).
• Data Collection Tools: Determine the specific tools and instruments you will use for data collection. This may include interview guides, questionnaires, or observation protocols.

3. Sampling Techniques

Choosing the proper sampling techniques is crucial to ensure that your exploratory research represents the target population or context effectively.

• Purposeful Sampling: When using qualitative methods like interviews and focus groups, purposeful or selective sampling helps identify participants who can provide valuable insights based on specific criteria, such as expertise or experience.
• Random Sampling: If your exploratory research involves quantitative data collection, consider random sampling methods to ensure that your sample is representative of the larger population.
• Snowball Sampling: In cases where it's challenging to identify participants through traditional methods, snowball sampling allows initial participants to refer others, creating a chain of referrals.

4. Data Analysis Approaches

Determining the data analysis approaches is essential for making sense of the information collected during exploratory research.

• Qualitative Data Analysis: For qualitative data, approaches like thematic analysis , content analysis, or narrative analysis help identify patterns, themes, and trends within the data.
• Quantitative Data Analysis: If you have quantitative data, statistical analysis and data visualization techniques can reveal trends, correlations, and significant findings.
• Mixed-Methods Analysis: In cases where both qualitative and quantitative data are collected, a mixed-methods analysis approach can provide a more comprehensive understanding.

5. Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations are paramount in exploratory research, as they ensure the well-being and rights of participants are protected.

• Informed Consent: Obtain informed consent from participants, explaining the purpose of the research, their role, and the potential risks and benefits. Consent forms should be clear and voluntary.
• Privacy and Anonymity: Protect the confidentiality and anonymity of participants by avoiding disclosing personal or sensitive information without explicit consent.
• Data Security: Safeguard research data to prevent unauthorized access or breaches of confidentiality.
• Conflict of Interest: Disclose any conflicts of interest or potential biases that may affect the research process or findings.
• Compliance: Adhere to ethical guidelines and regulations established by relevant institutions or governing bodies, such as institutional review boards (IRBs).

With a well-planned approach that includes clearly defined research objectives, appropriate data collection methods, thoughtful sampling techniques, robust data analysis approaches, and ethical considerations, you can set the stage for a successful exploratory research endeavor.

How to Conduct Exploratory Research?

In this section, we will delve into the practical aspects of conducting exploratory research, which involves data collection and analysis. These steps are vital to uncover insights and generate hypotheses. Let's explore each component in detail:

Data Collection

Effective data collection is the cornerstone of exploratory research. Here are various methods you can use to collect data:

1. Literature Review Process

Literature review is the process of systematically searching, reviewing, and summarizing existing academic literature related to your research topic. This step is crucial as it provides a foundation for understanding the current state of knowledge and identifying research gaps:

• Identify Relevant Sources: Begin by searching for relevant academic papers, books, articles, and reports. Online databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and academic library catalogs are excellent resources.
• Synthesize Information: Summarize the essential findings and ideas from the sources you've collected. Create a literature review matrix or summary to organize your results and identify common themes.
• Identify Research Gaps: As you review the literature, pay attention to areas where there's a lack of research or conflicting findings. These gaps can inform your exploratory research objectives.

2. Conducting Pilot Studies

Pilot studies are small-scale research projects designed to test and refine your research methods and instruments. They provide valuable insights and help identify potential issues before embarking on a full-scale study.

• Define Objectives: Clearly define the objectives of your pilot study. What specific aspects of your research design are you testing? What do you hope to learn from the pilot?
• Select Sample: Choose a small, representative sample for your pilot study. This sample should reflect your target population as closely as possible.
• Collect Data: Implement your research methods on the selected sample. Pay close attention to any challenges or issues that arise during data collection.
• Analyze Results: After collecting data, analyze the results. Look for any anomalies or unexpected findings that may require adjustments to your research design.

3. Running Case Studies

Case studies involve in-depth investigations into specific individuals, groups, organizations, or events. They provide rich, contextual data.

• Select a Case: Choose a relevant case that aligns with your research objectives. Consider cases that offer unique insights or perspectives on your topic.
• Gather Data: Collect data through a combination of interviews, observations, and document analysis. Triangulate your data sources for a comprehensive view.
• Analyze Data: Analyze the collected data to identify patterns, themes, and insights. Use coding or thematic analysis to categorize information.

4. Organizing Focus Groups

Focus groups bring together a small group of participants to engage in open and structured discussions about a particular topic.

• Recruit Participants: Recruit a diverse group of participants who can provide valuable insights into your research questions. Ensure that the group dynamics are conducive to open discussion.
• Design Questions: Prepare a set of open-ended questions that guide the discussion. Encourage participants to share their perspectives and experiences.
• Conduct the Session: Facilitate the focus group session, making sure everyone has an opportunity to speak. Take detailed notes and consider using audio or video recording.
• Analyze Findings: Transcribe and analyze the focus group discussions. Look for common themes, opinions, and areas of agreement or disagreement among participants.

5. Performing In-depth Interviews

In-depth interviews involve one-on-one conversations between a researcher and a participant, allowing for detailed exploration of experiences, opinions, and perceptions.

• Prepare Interview Guide: Develop a structured interview guide with open-ended questions that align with your research objectives. The guide provides a framework for the interview.
• Select Participants: Choose participants who can offer in-depth insights into your research questions. Establish rapport and build trust during the interviews.
• Conduct Interviews: Conduct one-on-one interviews, following the interview guide but allowing for flexibility to explore unexpected topics. Encourage participants to share their thoughts and experiences.
• Transcribe and Analyze: Transcribe the interviews and analyze the responses. Look for common themes, patterns, and noteworthy quotes that support your research objectives.

6. Observational Research Techniques

Observational research involves the systematic observation and recording of behaviors, events, or phenomena in their natural settings.

• Select the Setting: Choose a setting that allows for unobtrusive observation of the behavior or phenomena you're studying. Ensure that your presence does not influence the behavior.
• Define Variables: Clearly define the behaviors or phenomena you're observing. Create an observation checklist or coding scheme to record data systematically.
• Record Data: Systematically record your observations, either in real-time or through video/audio recordings. Be objective and avoid making interpretations during the observation.
• Analyze Data: After data collection, analyze the recorded observations to identify patterns, trends, and any noteworthy behaviors. Consider interrater reliability if multiple observers are involved.

7. Content Analysis Methods

Content analysis is a method for systematically analyzing textual, visual, or audio content to uncover patterns, themes, or trends.

• Define Coding Categories: Determine the coding categories or themes that align with your research objectives. Create a coding scheme that can be applied consistently.
• Code Content: Apply the coding scheme to the content you're analyzing. This may involve categorizing text passages, images, or audio segments based on predefined criteria.
• Record and Analyze Data: Record the coded data systematically and analyze it to identify patterns, trends, or recurring themes. Consider using software tools to assist in content analysis.

Data Analysis

After collecting data through the various methods, it's essential to analyze it effectively to extract meaningful insights:

1. Qualitative Data Analysis

Qualitative data analysis involves the examination of non-numeric data, such as text, interviews, and observations.

• Data Coding: Begin by coding the qualitative data, which involves categorizing information into themes or codes. This step helps organize the data for analysis.
• Thematic Analysis: Conduct thematic analysis to identify recurring themes, patterns, and trends within the data. Look for connections and relationships between themes.
• Constant Comparison: Use constant comparison, where you compare new data with existing codes and themes to refine your understanding of the data.
• Interpretation: Interpret the qualitative data in the context of your research objectives. Explore the implications of your findings and consider how they contribute to your research goals.

2. Quantitative Data Analysis

Quantitative data analysis involves the examination of numerical data gathered through surveys, experiments, or other structured methods.

• Data Cleaning: Begin by cleaning the data and addressing any missing values, outliers, or inconsistencies. Ensure that the data is in a usable format for analysis.
• Descriptive Analysis : Perform descriptive analysis to summarize the main characteristics of the data. This includes calculating measures like mean, median, and standard deviation.
• Inferential Analysis : If applicable, conduct inferential analysis to test hypotheses or determine relationships between variables. Common statistical tests include t-tests , ANOVA , and regression analysis .
• Data Visualization: Create visual representations of your quantitative data using charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate key findings.

Chi-Square Calculator :

t-Test Calculator :

One-way ANOVA Calculator :

3. Identifying Patterns and Themes

Across both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the process of identifying patterns and themes is essential.

• Pattern Recognition: Look for recurring patterns, trends, or regularities in the data. These patterns may be related to your research objectives or unexpected discoveries.
• Theme Identification: In qualitative data analysis, identify themes or categories that emerge from the data. Themes represent commonalities in participants' responses or behaviors.
• Cross-Referencing Data: Compare findings from different data collection methods (e.g., interviews, surveys) to triangulate your results and gain a more comprehensive understanding.
• Iterative Process: Data analysis is often an iterative process. You may revisit and refine your analysis as you uncover new insights or refine your research questions.

By effectively collecting and analyzing data, you can extract meaningful insights, identify trends, and generate hypotheses that will guide your exploratory research and inform future research endeavors.

How to Report and Present Exploratory Research Findings?

Effectively reporting and presenting exploratory research findings is vital to communicate insights and guide future actions. Let's explore the components of this phase in more detail.

Structure of Research Reports

Creating a well-structured research report ensures that your exploratory findings are communicated clearly and effectively.

• Title Page: Begin with a title page that includes the title of the report, your name, affiliation, and the date of publication.
• Executive Summary: Provide a concise summary of the research objectives, methods, key findings, and recommendations. This section should be informative yet brief.
• Table of Contents: Include a table of contents to help readers navigate through the report easily.
• Introduction: Introduce the research topic, objectives, and the importance of exploratory research in addressing your research questions.
• Methodology: Describe the methods used for data collection, including sampling techniques, data analysis approaches, and ethical considerations.
• Findings: Present your research findings, organized by research method (e.g., literature review, pilot study, focus groups, interviews, etc.).
• Discussion: Interpret your findings, discuss their implications, and relate them to your research objectives. Consider addressing any limitations.
• Recommendations: Offer recommendations based on your exploratory research. What actions or further research should be pursued?
• Conclusion: Summarize the key points of your study, emphasizing its significance.
• Appendices: Include any supplementary materials, such as interview transcripts, survey questionnaires, or additional data.
• References: Cite all the sources you referenced in your report using a consistent citation style (e.g., APA, MLA).

Visualizing Data

Effective data visualization enhances the understanding of your exploratory findings.

• Tables: Organize data in tabular format for easy comparison.
• Charts and Graphs: Use bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, or scatter plots to represent quantitative data.
• Infographics: Create visual summaries of key findings using infographics.
• Images and Visuals: Include relevant images, photographs, or screenshots to illustrate points.

Interpreting Results

Interpreting your exploratory research results involves:

• Contextualizing Findings: Explain the significance of your findings within the broader context of your research objectives.
• Discussing Implications: Consider the practical implications of your findings. How do they impact the research area or field?
• Addressing Limitations: Acknowledge any limitations or constraints in your study, such as sample size or data collection challenges.
• Comparing with Hypotheses: If applicable, compare your findings with any initial hypotheses you may have developed during the exploratory phase.
• Suggesting Future Research: Identify areas where further research is needed, building upon the insights gained in your exploratory study.

Making Recommendations

Based on your exploratory research, provide actionable recommendations.

• Practical Steps: Offer specific actions or decisions that can be made based on your findings.
• Policy Recommendations: If relevant, suggest changes or improvements to policies or practices.
• Further Research: Highlight areas where more in-depth research is required to build upon your exploratory findings.
• Implementation Plan: Outline a plan for implementing the recommendations, if applicable.

Remember that the clarity of your report and the persuasiveness of your recommendations are crucial in making your exploratory research valuable to your audience. Effective communication ensures that your insights lead to informed decisions and further exploration in your field of study.

Exploratory Research Advantages and Limitations

Exploratory research offers valuable insights into various aspects of a research topic, but it also comes with its own set of advantages and limitations. Understanding these factors is essential for making informed decisions about using exploratory research in your projects. Let's explore both sides of the coin.

Exploratory Research Advantages

• Insight Generation: Exploratory research excels at discovering the unknown. It allows you to explore and uncover new phenomena, trends, or perspectives that may have been previously unknown or overlooked.
• Hypothesis Generation: By investigating a topic with an open mind, you can generate hypotheses and research questions that can guide more focused research in the future. These initial hypotheses can serve as a valuable starting point.
• Flexibility: Exploratory research is well-suited for complex and multifaceted topics where a structured approach may not be appropriate. It provides the flexibility to adapt to evolving research objectives.
• Qualitative Understanding: Methods like interviews, focus groups, and content analysis provide rich qualitative data. This qualitative understanding is crucial for exploring nuances and complexities in human experiences and behaviors.
• Contextual Understanding: Exploratory research often takes place in real-world contexts. Case studies and observational research, for example, allow you to understand how phenomena operate in their natural environments, providing valuable context.
• Pilot Testing: Exploratory research, including pilot studies, helps in refining research methodologies and instruments. By uncovering potential issues early on, it reduces errors in subsequent studies.

Exploratory Research Limitations

• Lack of Generalizability: Exploratory research often uses small, non-representative samples. This makes it challenging to generalize findings to larger populations or broader contexts. The insights gained may be specific to the participants or conditions involved.
• Subjectivity: The qualitative nature of many exploratory research methods can introduce subjectivity in data analysis and interpretation. Researchers' biases and perspectives may influence the findings.
• Time and Resource Intensive: Some exploratory research methods, such as in-depth interviews or case studies, can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This can limit the scalability of exploratory studies.
• Limited Quantitative Data: If your research requires precise numerical data, exploratory research may not be sufficient. It primarily focuses on qualitative insights and quantitative data may be limited in scope.
• Potential for Bias: The choice of research methods and participants can introduce bias into your findings. For example, purposive sampling in qualitative research may inadvertently select participants with similar perspectives.
• Incomplete Picture: Exploratory research may provide an insufficient or preliminary picture of a topic. It often requires further investigation for validation and a more comprehensive understanding.
• Ethical Challenges: The open-ended nature of exploratory research can raise ethical challenges, especially in sensitive research areas. Ensuring participant consent and privacy is essential.

Understanding these advantages and limitations is crucial for researchers to make informed decisions about when and how to apply exploratory research methods. It's essential to carefully consider these factors in the context of your research objectives and the specific challenges and opportunities presented by your research topic.

Exploratory Research Examples

Exploratory research is a versatile approach employed across various fields to gain insights, uncover trends, and generate hypotheses. Let's explore real-world examples of how different exploratory research methods have been applied effectively:

1. Real-Life Case Studies

Facebook's emotional contagion study.

Background: In 2014, Facebook conducted a controversial exploratory research study to investigate emotional contagion. The study involved manipulating the content that appeared in users' newsfeeds to measure how emotional content impacted their own posts.

Method: Facebook used large-scale data analysis to conduct this study, which involved over 689,000 users. They manipulated the visibility of positive and negative posts to examine whether emotional states could be influenced online.

Findings: The study found that when users saw fewer positive posts in their newsfeeds, they tended to post fewer positive updates themselves, and vice versa for negative posts. This research sparked discussions about ethical considerations in online experimentation and the power of social media platforms to influence emotions.

Harvard Business School's Airbnb Case Study

Background: Harvard Business School conducted an exploratory case study on Airbnb, a disruptive platform in the hospitality industry. The goal was to understand how Airbnb disrupted traditional lodging markets and its impact on the hotel industry.

Method: Researchers collected data from various sources, including interviews with Airbnb hosts, surveys of travelers, and publicly available data on Airbnb listings and hotel occupancy rates. They analyzed the data to identify trends and insights.

Findings: The study found that Airbnb significantly impacted the hotel industry by offering unique, affordable, and personalized lodging options. It also highlighted challenges such as regulatory issues and concerns about safety and quality control.

2. Focus Groups

Apple's product development.

Background: Apple Inc. frequently conducts exploratory research through focus groups to gather insights and opinions from potential users before launching new products or features.

Method: Apple assembles small groups of potential users and conducts moderated discussions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, preferences, and concerns about prototypes or concepts.

Findings: Apple gains valuable feedback about user preferences and pain points by engaging with focus groups. For example, before launching the Apple Watch, focus groups provided insights into desired features like health tracking and customization.

Political Campaign Strategy

Background: In politics, campaign teams often use focus groups to explore voters' opinions, reactions to candidates, and key campaign issues.

Method: Focus groups consist of a diverse set of voters who engage in discussions about campaign messages, policies, and candidate attributes. Campaign teams use these insights to tailor their strategies.

Findings: Focus groups help political campaigns understand which messages resonate with different voter demographics. For instance, a focus group may reveal that a candidate's stance on a specific policy particularly appeals to a specific age group, influencing campaign messaging.

3. Content Analysis

Climate change discourse in media.

Background: Exploratory content analysis has been employed to study media coverage of climate change. Researchers aim to understand how different media outlets frame climate change issues.

Method: Researchers collect articles and news reports from various sources and then analyze the content to identify recurring themes, framing, and the use of language. This helps determine how climate change is portrayed in the media.

Findings: Content analysis has revealed that media outlets may use different frames when discussing climate change, such as "economic impact," "environmental consequences," or "scientific consensus." These frames can influence public perception and policy discussions.

Social Media Sentiment Analysis

Background: Companies and organizations use content analysis of social media posts to gauge public sentiment and gather insights into customer opinions and preferences.

Method: Automated tools are used to collect and analyze social media posts, comments, and mentions related to a specific brand, product, or topic. Natural language processing techniques identify sentiment (positive, negative, neutral) and key themes.

Findings: By analyzing social media content, companies can identify customer complaints, emerging trends, or public sentiment shifts in real time. For example, a restaurant chain may use sentiment analysis to track customer reactions to new menu items.

4. Observational Research

Supermarket shopping behavior.

Background: Observational research is frequently used in the retail industry to understand consumer behavior. One example is studying how shoppers navigate supermarkets.

Method: Researchers observe shoppers in a supermarket, noting their paths through the store, product choices, and interactions with displays. This data helps retailers optimize store layouts and product placement.

Findings: Observational research has shown that shoppers tend to follow predictable patterns in supermarkets, such as starting with fresh produce. Retailers use this data to design store layouts that encourage specific shopping behaviors and maximize sales.

Child Development Studies

Background: Observational research is crucial in child development studies to understand how children learn and develop through their interactions with the environment.

Method: Researchers use video recordings or live observations to document children's behaviors in various settings, such as classrooms or homes. They analyze these observations to identify developmental milestones and learning patterns.

Findings: Observational research in child development has contributed to our understanding of how children acquire language, social skills, and cognitive abilities. For example, it has revealed how peer interactions influence language development in preschoolers.

These real-world examples illustrate the diverse applications of exploratory research methods, from understanding user preferences for tech giants like Apple to analyzing media discourse on critical issues like climate change. Exploratory research empowers organizations and researchers with valuable insights that inform decision-making and shape future research directions.

Conclusion for Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is a dynamic tool that opens doors to discovery. It helps us uncover hidden insights, generate fresh ideas, and better understand the world around us. By delving into the unknown and embracing its flexibility, we can embark on journeys of exploration that enrich our knowledge and inform future endeavors.

So, whether you're exploring uncharted territories in academia, industry, or any field, remember that the spirit of curiosity and the methods of exploratory research can be your compass. With the right strategies and ethical considerations, you'll not only navigate the challenges but also uncover the treasures of knowledge that await. As you embark on your own exploratory research adventures, may you find answers to your questions, ignite new inquiries, and, above all, revel in the joy of discovery.

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Exploratory Research: Types & Characteristics

Consider a scenario where a juice bar owner feels that increasing the variety of juices will enable an increase in customers. However, he is not sure and needs more information. The owner intends to conduct exploratory research to find out; hence, he decides to do exploratory research to find out if expanding their juices selection will enable him to get more customers or if there is a better idea.

Another example of exploratory research is a podcast survey template that can be used to collect feedback about the podcast consumption metrics both from existing listeners as well as other podcast listeners that are currently not subscribed to this channel. This helps the author of the podcast create curated content that will gain a larger audience. Let’s explore this topic.

LEARN ABOUT: Research Process Steps

Content Index

Exploratory research: Definition

Primary research methods, secondary research methods, exploratory research: steps to conduct a research, characteristics of exploratory research, advantages of exploratory research, disadvantages of exploratory research, importance of exploratory research.

Exploratory research is defined as a research used to investigate a problem which is not clearly defined. It is conducted to have a better understanding of the existing research problem , but will not provide conclusive results. For such a research, a researcher starts with a general idea and uses this research as a medium to identify issues, that can be the focus for future research. An important aspect here is that the researcher should be willing to change his/her direction subject to the revelation of new data or insight. Such a research is usually carried out when the problem is at a preliminary stage. It is often referred to as grounded theory approach or interpretive research as it used to answer questions like what, why and how.

Types and methodologies of Exploratory research

While it may sound difficult to research something that has very little information about it, there are several methods which can help a researcher figure out the best research design, data collection methods and choice of subjects. There are two ways in which research can be conducted namely primary and secondary.. Under these two types, there are multiple methods which can used by a researcher. The data gathered from these research can be qualitative or quantitative . Some of the most widely used research designs include the following:

LEARN ABOUT: Best Data Collection Tools

Primary research is information gathered directly from the subject.  It can be through a group of people or even an individual. Such a research can be carried out directly by the researcher himself or can employ a third party to conduct it on their behalf. Primary research is specifically carried out to explore a certain problem which requires an in-depth study.

• Surveys/polls : Surveys /polls are used to gather information from a predefined group of respondents. It is one of the most important quantitative method. Various types of surveys  or polls can be used to explore opinions, trends, etc. With the advancement in technology, surveys can now be sent online and can be very easy to access. For instance, use of a survey app through tablets, laptops or even mobile phones. This information is also available to the researcher in real time as well. Nowadays, most organizations offer short length surveys and rewards to respondents, in order to achieve higher response rates.

LEARN ABOUT: Live polls for Classroom Experience

For example: A survey is sent to a given set of audience to understand their opinions about the size of mobile phones when they purchase one. Based on such information organization can dig deeper into the topic and make business related decision.

• Interviews: While you may get a lot of information from public sources, but sometimes an in person interview can give in-depth information on the subject being studied. Such a research is a qualitative research method . An interview with a subject matter expert can give you meaningful insights that a generalized public source won’t be able to provide. Interviews are carried out in person or on telephone which have open-ended questions to get meaningful information about the topic.

For example: An interview with an employee can give you more insights to find out the degree of job satisfaction, or an interview with a subject matter expert of quantum theory can give you in-depth information on that topic.

• Focus groups: Focus group is yet another widely used method in exploratory research. In such a method a group of people is chosen and are allowed to express their insights on the topic that is being studied. Although, it is important to make sure that while choosing the individuals in a focus group they should have a common background and have comparable experiences.

For example: A focus group helps a research identify the opinions of consumers if they were to buy a phone. Such a research can help the researcher understand what the consumer value while buying a phone. It may be screen size, brand value or even the dimensions. Based on which the organization can understand what are consumer buying attitudes, consumer opinions, etc.

• Observations: Observational research can be qualitative observation or quantitative observation . Such a research is done to observe a person and draw the finding from their reaction to certain parameters. In such a research, there is no direct interaction with the subject.

For example: An FMCG company wants to know how it’s consumer react to the new shape of their product. The researcher observes the customers first reaction and collects the data, which is then used to draw inferences from the collective information.

LEARN ABOUT: Causal Research

Secondary research is gathering information from previously published primary research. In such a research you gather information from sources likes case studies, magazines, newspapers, books, etc.

• Online research: In today’s world, this is one of the fastest way to gather information on any topic. A lot of data is readily available on the internet and the researcher can download it whenever he needs it. An important aspect to be noted for such a research is the genuineness and authenticity of the source websites that the researcher is gathering the information from.

For example: A researcher needs to find out what is the percentage of people that prefer a specific brand phone. The researcher just enters the information he needs in a search engine and gets multiple links with related information and statistics.

• Literature research : Literature research is one of the most inexpensive method used for discovering a hypothesis. There is tremendous amount of information available in libraries, online sources, or even commercial databases. Sources can include newspapers, magazines, books from library, documents from government agencies, specific topic related articles, literature, Annual reports, published statistics from research organizations and so on.

However, a few things have to be kept in mind while researching from these sources. Government agencies have authentic information but sometimes may come with a nominal cost. Also, research from educational institutions is generally overlooked, but in fact educational institutions carry out more number of research than any other entities.

Furthermore, commercial sources provide information on major topics like political agendas, demographics, financial information, market trends and information, etc.

For example: A company has low sales. It can be easily explored from available statistics and market literature if the problem is market related or organization related or if the topic being studied is regarding financial situation of the country, then research data can be accessed through government documents or commercial sources.

• Case study research: Case study research can help a researcher with finding more information through carefully analyzing existing cases which have gone through a similar problem. Such exploratory data analysis are very important and critical especially in today’s business world. The researcher just needs to make sure he analyses the case carefully in regards to all the variables present in the previous case against his own case. It is very commonly used by business organizations or social sciences sector or even in the health sector.

LEARN ABOUT: Level of Analysis

For example: A particular orthopedic surgeon has the highest success rate for performing knee surgeries. A lot of other hospitals or doctors have taken up this case to understand and benchmark the method in which this surgeon does the procedure to increase their success rate.

• Identify the problem : A researcher identifies the subject of research and the problem is addressed by carrying out multiple methods to answer the questions.
• Create the hypothesis : When the researcher has found out that there are no prior studies and the problem is not precisely resolved, the researcher will create a hypothesis based on the questions obtained while identifying the problem.
• Further research : Once the data has been obtained, the researcher will continue his study through descriptive investigation. Qualitative methods are used to further study the subject in detail and find out if the information is true or not.

LEARN ABOUT: Descriptive Analysis

• They are not structured studies
• It is usually low cost, interactive and open ended.
• It will enable a researcher answer questions like what is the problem? What is the purpose of the study? And what topics could be studied?
• To carry out exploratory research, generally there is no prior research done or the existing ones do not answer the problem precisely enough.
• It is a time consuming research and it needs patience and has risks associated with it.
• The researcher will have to go through all the information available for the particular study he is doing.
• There are no set of rules to carry out the research per se, as they are flexible, broad and scattered.
• The research needs to have importance or value. If the problem is not important in the industry the research carried out is ineffective.
• The research should also have a few theories which can support its findings as that will make it easier for the researcher to assess it and move ahead in his study
• Such a research usually produces qualitative data , however in certain cases quantitative data can be generalized for a larger sample through use of surveys and experiments.

LEARN ABOUT: Action Research

• The researcher has a lot of flexibility and can adapt to changes as the research progresses.
• It is usually low cost.
• It helps lay the foundation of a research, which can lead to further research.
• It enables the researcher understand at an early stage, if the topic is worth investing the time and resources  and if it is worth pursuing.
• It can assist other researchers to find out possible causes for the problem, which can be further studied in detail to find out, which of them is the most likely cause for the problem.
• Even though it can point you in the right direction towards what is the answer, it is usually inconclusive.
• The main disadvantage of exploratory research is that they provide qualitative data. Interpretation of such information can be judgmental and biased.
• Most of the times, exploratory research involves a smaller sample , hence the results cannot be accurately interpreted for a generalized population.
• Many a times, if the data is being collected through secondary research, then there is a chance of that data being old and is not updated.

LEARN ABOUT: Projective Techniques & Conformity Bias

Exploratory research is carried out when a topic needs to be understood in depth, especially if it hasn’t been done before. The goal of such a research is to explore the problem and around it and not actually derive a conclusion from it. Such kind of research will enable a researcher to  set a strong foundation for exploring his ideas, choosing the right research design and finding variables that actually are important for the in-depth analysis . Most importantly, such a research can help organizations or researchers save up a lot of time and resources, as it will enable the researcher to know if it worth pursuing.

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• > The Production of Knowledge
• > Exploratory Research

Book contents

• The Production of Knowledge
• Strategies for Social Inquiry
• Copyright page
• Detailed Contents
• Contributors
• Acknowledgments
• 1 Introduction
• Part I Discovery
• 2 Exploratory Research
• 3 Research Cycles
• Part II Publishing
• Part III Transparency and Reproducibility
• Part IV Appraisal
• Part V Diversity
• Part VI Conclusions

2 - Exploratory Research

from Part I - Discovery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2020

Exploratory research is an attempt to discover something new and interesting by working through a research topic and is the soul of good research. Exploratory studies, a type of exploratory research, tend to fall into two categories: those that make a tentative first analysis of a new topic and those that propose new ideas or generate new hypotheses on an old topic. This chapter examines the history of exploratory studies, offers a typology of exploratory studies, and proposes a new type of exploratory study that is especially helpful for theorizing empirical material at an early stage. It argues that exploratory studies are an important part of a social scientist’s toolkit.

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• Exploratory Research
• By Richard Swedberg
• Edited by Colin Elman , Syracuse University, New York , John Gerring , University of Texas, Austin , James Mahoney , Northwestern University, Illinois
• Book: The Production of Knowledge
• Online publication: 11 March 2020
• Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108762519.002

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Chapter 3: Developing a Research Question

3.2 Exploration, Description, Explanation

As you can see, there is much to think about and many decisions to be made as you begin to define your research question and your research project. Something else you will need to consider in the early stages is whether your research will be exploratory, descriptive, or explanatory. Each of these types of research has a different aim or purpose, consequently, how you design your research project will be determined in part by this decision. In the following paragraphs we will look at these three types of research.

Exploratory Research

Researchers conducting exploratory research are typically at the early stages of examining their topics. These sorts of projects are usually conducted when a researcher wants to test the feasibility of conducting a more extensive study; he or she wants to figure out the lay of the land with respect to the particular topic. Perhaps very little prior research has been conducted on this subject. If this is the case, a researcher may wish to do some exploratory work to learn what method to use in collecting data, how best to approach research participants, or even what sorts of questions are reasonable to ask. A researcher wanting to simply satisfy his or her own curiosity about a topic could also conduct exploratory research. Conducting exploratory research on a topic is often a necessary first step, both to satisfy researcher curiosity about the subject and to better understand the phenomenon and the research participants in order to design a larger, subsequent study. See Table 2.1 for examples.

Descriptive Research

Sometimes the goal of research is to describe or define a particular phenomenon. In this case, descriptive research would be an appropriate strategy. A descriptive may, for example, aim to describe a pattern. For example, researchers often collect information to describe something for the benefit of the general public. Market researchers rely on descriptive research to tell them what consumers think of their products. In fact, descriptive research has many useful applications, and you probably rely on findings from descriptive research without even being aware that that is what you are doing. See Table 3.1 for examples.

Explanatory Research

The third type of research, explanatory research, seeks to answer “why” questions. In this case, the researcher is trying to identify the causes and effects of whatever phenomenon is being studied. An explanatory study of college students’ addictions to their electronic gadgets, for example, might aim to understand why students become addicted. Does it have anything to do with their family histories? Does it have anything to do with their other extracurricular hobbies and activities? Does it have anything to do with the people with whom they spend their time? An explanatory study could answer these kinds of questions. See Table 3.1 for examples.

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Introductions, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusions for Exploratory Papers

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Many paper assignments call for you to establish a position and defend that position with an effective argument. However, some assignments are not argumentative, but rather, they are exploratory. Exploratory essays ask questions and gather information that may answer these questions. However, the main point of the exploratory or inquiry essay is not to find definite answers. The main point is to conduct inquiry into a topic, gather information, and share that information with readers.

Introductions for Exploratory Essays

The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions:

• What is this?
• Why am I reading it?
• What do you want me to do?

You should answer these questions in an exploratory essay by doing the following:

• Set the context – provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the questions you will ask
• State why the main idea is important – tell the reader why they should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and educational essay people will want to read and act upon
• State your research question – compose a question or two that clearly communicate what you want to discover and why you are interested in the topic. An overview of the types of sources you explored might follow your research question.

If your inquiry paper is long, you may want to forecast how you explored your topic by outlining the structure of your paper, the sources you considered, and the information you found in these sources. Your forecast could read something like this:

In order to explore my topic and try to answer my research question, I began with news sources. I then conducted research in scholarly sources, such as peer-reviewed journals. Lastly, I conducted an interview with a primary source. All these sources gave me a better understanding of my topic, and even though I was not able to fully answer my research questions, I learned a lot and narrowed my subject for the next paper assignment, the problem-solution report.

For this OWL resource, the example exploratory process investigates a local problem to gather more information so that eventually a solution may be suggested.

Identify a problem facing your University (institution, students, faculty, staff) or the local area and conduct exploratory research to find out as much as you can on the following:

• Causes of the problem and other contributing factors
• People/institutions involved in the situation: decision makers and stakeholders
• Possible solutions to the problem.

You do not have to argue for a solution to the problem at this point. The point of the exploratory essay is to ask an inquiry question and find out as much as you can to try to answer your question. Then write about your inquiry and findings.

Exploratory Research

Exploratory research, as the name implies, intends merely to explore the research questions and does not intend to offer final and conclusive solutions to existing problems. This type of research is usually conducted to study a problem that has not been clearly defined yet. Conducted in order to determine the nature of the problem, exploratory research is not intended to provide conclusive evidence, but helps us to have a better understanding of the problem.

When conducting exploratory research, the researcher ought to be willing to change his/her direction as a result of revelation of new data and new insights. [1] Accordingly, exploratory studies are often conducted using interpretive research methods and they answer to questions such as what, why and how.

Exploratory research design does not aim to provide the final and conclusive answers to the research questions, but merely explores the research topic with varying levels of depth. It has been noted that “exploratory research is the initial research, which forms the basis of more conclusive research. It can even help in determining the research design, sampling methodology and data collection method” [2] . Exploratory research “tends to tackle new problems on which little or no previous research has been done” [3] .

Unstructured interviews are the most popular primary data collection method with exploratory studies. Additionally, surveys , focus groups and observation methods can be used to collect primary data for this type of studies.

Examples of Exploratory Research Design

The following are some examples for studies with exploratory research design in business studies:

• A study into the role of social networking sites as an effective marketing communication channel
• An investigation into the ways of improvement of quality of customer services within hospitality sector in London
• An assessment of the role of corporate social responsibility on consumer behaviour in pharmaceutical industry in the USA

Differences between Exploratory and Conclusive Research

The difference between exploratory and conclusive research is drawn by Sandhursen (2000) [4] in a way that exploratory studies result in a range of causes and alternative options for a solution of a specific problem, whereas, conclusive studies identify the final information that is the only solution to an existing research problem.

In other words, exploratory research design simply explores the research questions, leaving room for further researches, whereas conclusive research design is aimed to provide final findings for the research.

Moreover, it has been stated that “an exploratory study may not have as rigorous as methodology as it is used in conclusive studies, and sample sizes may be smaller. But it helps to do the exploratory study as methodically as possible, if it is going to be used for major decisions about the way we are going to conduct our next study” [5] (Nargundkar, 2003, p.41).

Exploratory studies usually create scope for future research and the future research may have a conclusive design. For example, ‘a study into the implications of COVID-19 pandemic into the global economy’ is an exploratory research. COVID-19 pandemic is a recent phenomenon and the study can generate an initial knowledge about economic implications of the phenomenon.

A follow-up study, building on the findings of this research ‘a study into the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on tourism revenues in Morocco’ is a causal conclusive research. The second research can produce research findings that can be of a practical use for decision making.

Advantages of Exploratory Research

• Lower costs of conducting the study
• Flexibility and adaptability to change
• Exploratory research is effective in laying the groundwork that will lead to future studies.
• Exploratory studies can potentially save time by determining at the earlier stages the types of research that are worth pursuing

Disadvantages of Exploratory Research

• Inclusive nature of research findings
• Exploratory studies generate qualitative information and interpretation of such type of information is subject to bias
• These types of studies usually make use of a modest number of samples that may not adequately represent the target population. Accordingly, findings of exploratory research cannot be generalized to a wider population.
• Findings of such type of studies are not usually useful in decision making in a practical level.

My e-book,  The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Dissertation in Business Studies: a step by step assistance  contains discussions of theory and application of research designs. The e-book also explains all stages of the  research process  starting from the  selection of the research area  to writing personal reflection. Important elements of dissertations such as  research philosophy ,  research approach ,  methods of data collection ,  data analysis  and  sampling  are explained in this e-book in simple words.

John Dudovskiy

[1] Source: Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2012) “Research Methods for Business Students” 6 th  edition, Pearson Education Limited

[2] Singh, K. (2007) “Quantitative Social Research Methods” SAGE Publications, p.64

[3] Brown, R.B. (2006) “Doing Your Dissertation in Business and Management: The Reality of Research and Writing” Sage Publications, p.43

[4] Sandhusen, R.L. (2000) “Marketing” Barrons

[5] Nargundkar, R. (2008) “Marketing Research: Text and Cases” 3 rd edition, p.38