Exploratory Research is a type of research conducted to investigate a problem or situation that is not clearly defined. It helps researchers gain a better understanding of an issue, identify key variables, and develop hypotheses for further study.
Exploratory research is initial research conducted to clarify ambiguous problems, gather insights, and explore potential causes or solutions when there is limited existing information.
The purpose of such research is to explore and understand a new or unclear problem in order to generate ideas or hypotheses for future research by identifying key factors, variables, or relationships.
Exploratory research uses the following methods:
- Literature review
- Focus groups
- In-depth interviews
- Case studies
- Observations
For example, a company could notice a drop in customer satisfaction but doesn’t know why. The company can conduct exploratory research by interviewing customers and reviewing feedback. That way, they might understand possible causes before designing a formal survey.