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what is the purpose of an exploratory study

by Kaylah Corwin V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The goal of exploratory research is to formulate problems, clarify con- cepts, and form hypotheses. Exploration can begin with a literature search, a focus group discussion, or case studies.

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What are the advantages of exploratory research?

The Advantages of Exploratory Research Design

  1. Increasing Understanding. According to DJS Research Limited, the principal use of exploratory research is to increase a researcher’s understanding of a subject.
  2. Flexibility of Sources. Secondary sources, such as published literature or data, are commonly used in exploratory research. ...
  3. Better Conclusions. ...
  4. Strategic Planning. ...

How to conduct exploratory research?

With exploratory research, businesses extract:

  • The groundwork for other types of research
  • Key facts about matters critical to their business
  • Opinions from their target market
  • The existence of specific market segments (via market segmentation)
  • An understanding what is worth pursuing for survey studies and other research

What do you mean by exploratory and descriptive research?

Exploratory research is one which aims at providing insights into and an understanding of the problem faced by the researcher. Descriptive research, on the other hand, aims at describing something, mainly functions and characteristics. The research design is defined as a framework for carrying out research activities in different fields of ...

What does exploratory research mean?

Exploratory research is a methodology approach that investigates research questions that have not previously been studied in depth. Exploratory research is often qualitative in nature. However, a study with a large sample conducted in an exploratory manner can be quantitative as well.

When is exploratory research conducted?

What is the primary objective of exploratory research?

What is the purpose of exploratory design?

Why is flexibility important in research design?

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Purpose of Research: Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory - theintactone

Purpose of Research It can be hard to tell the exact purpose of business research. It will always be based on the situation and the person conducting such study. Generally speaking, a business research’s purpose is to ensure future success. Whenever a person or a group enters the market, their aim is to earn considerable…

Purposes of Research: Exploratory, Descriptive & Explanatory

Research is purposeful, often intending to explore hypothetical ideas, describe by giving clarity, or to explain cause and effects. Discover the...

Exploratory Research | Definition, Guide, & Examples - Scribbr

Exploratory Research | Definition, Guide, & Examples. Published on December 6, 2021 by Tegan George.Revised on October 10, 2022. Exploratory research is a methodology approach that investigates research questions that have not previously been studied in depth.. Exploratory research is often qualitative in nature. . However, a study with a large sample conducted in an exploratory manner can be ...

When is exploratory research conducted?

Exploratory studies are usually conducted when a problem is not clearly defined. It allows the investigator to acquaint with the problem or concept to be researched, and possibly produce hypotheses (definition of hypothesis) to be tested.

What is the primary objective of exploratory research?

The primary objective or purpose of exploratory research design is that of formulating a problem for more precise investigation or of developing the working hypothesis from an operational perspective. The main focus in these research projects is on the discovery of ideas and insights. Therefore the research design, ...

What is the purpose of exploratory design?

When the researcher doesn’t have resources and capacity to test the hypothesis he is in a position to discover facts through exploratory design that is appropriate to or in compliance with the hypothesis. 2.

Why is flexibility important in research design?

Therefore the research design, suitable for these types of studies must be flexible enough to offer opportunity for considering various elements of a problem under study . In built flexibility in research design is required as the research problem, broadly defined initially, is turned into one with more precise meaning in exploratory studies, which fact may necessitate alterations in the research process of gathering relevant data.

What is an exploratory study?

An exploratory study is research that explores a new topic or subject, or one that has yet to benefit from thorough research. They aim to analyze specific factors about existing phenomena, such as the effects of gravity in a vacuum or the specific reactions of patients to drugs.

Features of exploratory studies

Differentiating exploratory studies from other scientific research can help you determine what kind of research a problem might require. Here are some common features and characteristics of an exploratory study:

Exploratory research techniques

Performing exploratory research requires specific techniques and knowledge about a subject matter. Researchers often divide exploratory research into two categories: primary and secondary research methods.

How to complete an exploratory study

When you complete an exploratory study, it's important to follow a certain set of steps. Doing so ensures you use all the right information and follow the scientific method. Here are the steps to complete an exploratory study:

Benefits of exploratory studies

Exploratory studies are simple and offer many benefits for researchers. Some of these benefits include:

When to use 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.

Exploratory research questions

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.

Exploratory research data collection

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

Step-by-step example of exploratory research

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.

Exploratory vs. explanatory research

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.

Advantages and disadvantages of exploratory research

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

Frequently asked questions about exploratory research

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.

Why is exploratory research important?

Exploratory research: Definition. 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 problem, but will not provide conclusive results. For such a research, a researcher starts with ...

What are the two ways in which research can be conducted?

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 bequalitativeorquantitative.

What is literature research?

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.

What is focus group research?

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.

What is primary research?

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.

Why is it important to have a low cost research?

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.

Why should research have theories?

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

Why are exploratory studies important?

In the policy arena or applied to practice, exploratory studies help establish research priorities and where resources should be allocated;

What is Exploratory Research?

An exploratory research is the research that helps to learn the essence of the problem; to make sure that there is a problem, and to find out the character of this problem. This is the simplest kind of research. They are carried out in the form of free discussions with experts specially selected for this purpose or analysis of secondary information.The hypotheses of such research are vague or absent at all. At this stage of research, the marketer has a very rough idea of the required information.

What are the disadvantages of exploratory research?

As for disadvantages, they are: 1 exploratory research generally utilizes small sample sizes and, thus, findings are typically not generalizable to the population at large; 2 the exploratory nature of the research inhibits an ability to make definitive conclusions about the findings. They provide insight but not definitive conclusions; 3 the research process underpinning exploratory studies is flexible but often unstructured, leading to only tentative results that have limited value to decision-makers; 4 design lacks rigorous standards applied to methods of data gathering and analysis because one of the areas for exploration could be to determine what method or methodologies could best fit the research problem.

Why is search research important?

Search researches are especially important in breaking up a broad and unclear formulation of the problem into more precise subproblems, ideally formulated in the form of hypotheses or statements about how two or more measurable quantities are interconnected.

What is expert survey?

Expert surveys, which are also called key informational conversations, they are aimed at obtaining information from persons who are knowledgeable with the subject of the study. Such information should be owned by senior management of the company, sales managers, managers of individual goods, and also involve independent experts.The focus group is used to put forward hypotheses and obtain information useful for further research phases. The open and natural discussion format of a focus groups allows for a wider variety of perspectives in a shorter period of time.Case analysis involves intensive study of selected examples related to the phenomenon that is the purpose of the study. Researchers can check existing records, observe how the phenomenon works, and conduct interviews.

Is exploratory research good or bad?

Exploratory research like any phenomenon has good and bad sides. As for advantages, they are: design is a useful approach for gaining background information on a particular topic; exploratory research is flexible and can address research questions of all types (what, why, how);

When is exploratory research conducted?

Exploratory studies are usually conducted when a problem is not clearly defined. It allows the investigator to acquaint with the problem or concept to be researched, and possibly produce hypotheses (definition of hypothesis) to be tested.

What is the primary objective of exploratory research?

The primary objective or purpose of exploratory research design is that of formulating a problem for more precise investigation or of developing the working hypothesis from an operational perspective. The main focus in these research projects is on the discovery of ideas and insights. Therefore the research design, ...

What is the purpose of exploratory design?

When the researcher doesn’t have resources and capacity to test the hypothesis he is in a position to discover facts through exploratory design that is appropriate to or in compliance with the hypothesis. 2.

Why is flexibility important in research design?

Therefore the research design, suitable for these types of studies must be flexible enough to offer opportunity for considering various elements of a problem under study . In built flexibility in research design is required as the research problem, broadly defined initially, is turned into one with more precise meaning in exploratory studies, which fact may necessitate alterations in the research process of gathering relevant data.

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When to Use Exploratory Research

  • Exploratory research is often used when the issue you’re studying is new or when the data collection processis 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

  • 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: 1. What effect does using a digital notebook have on the attention span of middle schoolers? 2. What fa…
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Exploratory Research Data Collection

  • Collecting information on a previously unexplored topic can be challenging. Exploratory research can help you narrow down your topic and formulate a clear hypothesis, 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.
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Step-By-Step Example of Exploratory Research

  • 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.
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Exploratory vs. Explanatory Research

  • 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 questionsthat have not been studied in depth. The preliminary results often lay the groundwork for future analysis. Explanator…
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Exploratory Research

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

1.What Is an Exploratory Study? (With Features and Benefits)

Url:https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/exploratory-study

4 hours ago Exploratory studies are also referred to as formulative research studies. The primary objective or purpose of exploratory research design is that of formulating a problem for more precise …

2.Purpose of Exploratory Research - UniversalTeacher.com

Url:https://universalteacher.com/1/purpose-of-exploratory-research/

4 hours ago  · Flexibility: With exploratory research, you have plenty of flexibility and can adapt to many changes as the research progresses. Forms a basis of research: An exploratory study …

3.Exploratory Research: What It Is and How To Conduct a …

Url:https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/exploratory-study

2 hours ago The goal of exploratory research is to formulate problems, clarify con- cepts, and form hypotheses. Exploration can begin with a literature search, a focus group discussion, or case …

4.Exploratory Research | Definition, Guide, & Examples

Url:https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/exploratory-research/

36 hours ago Importance of Exploratory research. 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 …

5.Exploratory research: Definition, Types and …

Url:https://www.questionpro.com/blog/exploratory-research/

33 hours ago Exploratory Research is a type of research conducted when the researcher does not have a clear idea of what they are looking for. This type of research is used to generate new ideas or …

6.Exploratory Research Design: Definition, Types and Ways …

Url:https://acasestudy.com/the-purpose-of-exploratory-research-design/

24 hours ago exploratory research is flexible and can address research questions of all types (what, why, how); it provides an opportunity to define new terms and clarify existing concepts; In the policy …

7.Exploratory Research: Purpose And Process - skspvns

Url:http://crm.skspvns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/110-Ananya-Swaraj.pdf

14 hours ago 1. To discuss two levels of exploratory research. 2. To find the need for exploratory research in social sciences. 3. To discuss process of exploratory research. 4. To find limitations of …

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