Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is a type of research design that aims to explore and gain insight into a problem or phenomenon. It is typically conducted when little is known about the topic or when the researcher is looking to generate new ideas or hypotheses.
The primary goal of exploratory research is to gather information and ideas that will help the researcher develop a better understanding of the research problem. This type of research typically involves collecting data from a variety of sources, including literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and observation.
Exploratory research is often used in the early stages of a research project to help define the problem, develop research questions, and identify potential variables or factors that may be important to consider. It can also be used to generate new ideas or theories that can be tested in subsequent research.
Exploratory research is not usually designed to provide conclusive evidence or definitive answers to research questions. Instead, it is focused on exploring and discovering new information that can inform further research.
The need to understand Exploratory Research
In the social sciences, the idea of exploration is usually mentioned, only in passing of a short statement by Blumer (1969, pp. 40–42) and Glaser and Strauss’s (1967) The Discovery of Grounded Theory being two main exceptions. And still earlier, Boulding (1958) wrote about the need to “travel over a field of study” with the object of extending “the reader’s field of acquaintance with the complex cases of the real world” (p. 5). Vogt (1999, p. 114), offers a helpful definition of exploratory research as “Research that looks for patterns, ideas or hypotheses, rather than research that tries to test or confirm hypothesis.”
Under what conditions such type of research is preferred
Exploratory research is often preferred when the researcher is seeking to gain a better understanding of a problem or phenomenon that has not been extensively studied before. This type of research is typically used in the following situations:
When little is known about the topic:
Exploratory research is ideal when there is limited information or understanding about a particular topic. This type of research can help to identify potential variables or factors that may be important to consider in subsequent research.
When there is no clear hypothesis:
Exploratory research is often used when there is no clear hypothesis or research question. In these situations, the researcher may use exploratory research to identify potential research questions or hypotheses.
When the research problem is complex:
Exploratory research is particularly useful when the research problem is complex and multi-dimensional. It can help to identify the key variables or factors that may be important to consider in subsequent research.
When the research problem is sensitive:
Exploratory research can also be used when the research problem is sensitive or taboo. This can help to gather preliminary data and insights without asking direct or sensitive questions.
When the researcher wants to explore new ideas:
Exploratory research is ideal when the researcher wants to explore new ideas or concepts. This can help to generate hypotheses and research questions that can be tested in subsequent research.
When the research problem is dynamic:
Exploratory research is useful when the research problem is dynamic and constantly changing. This can help the researcher to adapt to new information and insights and adjust the research focus accordingly.
When the sample size is small:
Exploratory research is often conducted on a smaller sample size than other types of research. This is because the primary goal of exploratory research is to gain a better understanding of the research problem, rather than to provide conclusive evidence or generalize to a larger population.
When the research is qualitative:
Exploratory research is often conducted using qualitative methods, such as interviews, focus groups, and observation. These methods are well-suited for exploring new ideas and gaining a deeper understanding of the research problem.
When the research is flexible:
Exploratory research is ideal when the research design is flexible and allows the researcher to adjust the research focus and methods based on new information and insights.
Exploratory research is preferred when the researcher is seeking to gain a better understanding of a research problem or when there is limited information or understanding about a particular topic. It is particularly useful in the early stages of a research project when the researcher is seeking to develop research questions, hypotheses, and a deeper understanding of the research problem.
Here is an example to illustrate when exploratory research is preferred:
Suppose a researcher is interested in studying the impact of social media on mental health. However, there is limited information and research on this topic, and the researcher does not have a clear hypothesis or research question. In this case, the researcher may conduct exploratory research to gain a better understanding of the relationship between social media use and mental health.
The researcher may begin by conducting a literature review to identify key variables and factors that may be important to consider in the study. They may then conduct interviews or focus groups with individuals who use social media regularly to gain insights into their experiences and perceptions. The researcher may also use observation to understand how social media use impacts individuals’ behaviour and mental health.
Through this exploratory research, the researcher may gain new insights and identify key variables and factors that are important to consider in subsequent research. For example, the researcher may find that the amount of time individuals spends on social media and the type of content they engage with have a significant impact on mental health. Based on these findings, the researcher can develop more specific research questions and hypotheses to test in subsequent research.
In this example, exploratory research is preferred because there is limited information and understanding about the relationship between social media use and mental health. The researcher does not have a clear hypothesis or research question and is seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the research problem. Exploratory research can help to identify key variables and factors that may be important to consider in subsequent research and generate new ideas or hypotheses.
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