The way researchers conduct their studies has advanced in recent years. New methodologies have emerged that now provide a better view of the population and their behavior. Explanatory, descriptive, and exploratory research are the three most popular types of research among researchers.
Even though these techniques may sound similar to you, they differ significantly in a number of ways. Each of these research types serves a specific function and has a specific application. Therefore how you plan the research project will be heavily influenced by this choice.
Today we will examine the difference between exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory research types. We will primarily focus on explanatory and exploratory research and look at their key examples. But before diving deep into their differences, let us try to understand the meaning of these research types.
Explanatory Research
The explanatory research method tries to explain the phenomenon that is being studied. This type of research essentially answers the question of ‘why.’ It uses different ideas and concepts to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. The relationship highlights the factors and causes behind the occurrence of a particular incident. It helps us identify the problems that need to be solved.
This research method is used when a specific phenomenon is observed and defined. Then the explanatory research tries to discover why and how the phenomenon happened. It tests the already established hypothesis.
Largely, this type of research uses quantitative data. The data used is secondary in nature as it is not collected from a primary or direct source.
Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is a type of early-stage study. It aims to analyze and explore an issue that still needs to be defined. Very little to no prior literature is available to guide the research’s direction in the chosen research topic.
This preliminary research method tries to find and develop the most efficient process, data collection procedure, and analytical tools. However, it does not offer any definite conclusions or findings.
This research technique evaluates if a certain phenomenon is capable of further investigation in terms of its scope and feasibility. It requires a comprehensive inquiry. Such exploratory research serves as a foundation for later research as well.
One of the most confusing questions frequently asked is: Is exploratory research qualitative or quantitative?
Since exploratory research aims to develop fresh hypotheses and ideas that can direct future studies, it typically uses qualitative data collection methods. However, quantitative data collection methods, like surveys, can also be used in exploratory research to collect primary information that can help future research.
SurveyPoint can help you build comprehensive surveys that are easy to float and collect responses. You can custom-build the template and make it relevant to your industry.
Descriptive Research
When research is concerned with describing a phenomenon and its characteristics, the descriptive research method is used. It is very popular in market research for describing the features of a target population.
This type of research aims to describe patterns. Qualitative and quantitative both types of data can be used in this research methodology. An example of descriptive research can be a study that describes the demographic features of a particular population.
Explanatory Research vs Exploratory Research
Now let us look at the major differences between explanatory and exploratory research.
- Different Phases of Study
Explanatory research is conducted when the phenomenon is defined and the hypothesis is already established. This is the latter phase of the research. On the other hand, exploratory research is the initial phase where a new phenomenon is being observed and explored.
- Framework and Structure
The exploratory research does not have any strict framework or structure. You can choose whichever method suits you best. However, the explanatory research method is very systematic and structured in a proper manner.
- Conclusion
It is very much possible that the exploratory theory may not provide any definite conclusion or result. However, explanatory research provides answers by connecting multiple data points to independent variables.
- Research Method
Both these techniques use different research methods as their objectives are different. Explanatory research moves forward by collecting data that confirms or contradicts a preconceived hypothesis, whereas exploratory research employs questioning mechanisms to uncover the best practices.
Explanatory vs Exploratory Research Examples
Assume that a researcher wants to study caffeine’s effect on adults’ sleep quality. They randomly select subjects for their experiment. The selected sample had to drink either a caffeinated or a non-caffeinated beverage before bed every day.
The researcher leverages a standardized questionnaire to assess the participants’ sleep quality. The study aims to demonstrate a causal link between coffee consumption and sleep quality.
Now suppose that researchers want to study why people buy a particular coffee brand. They will collect data from coffee consumers through different methods to explore their attitudes and opinion toward different coffee labels. The study aims to collect data and pinpoint potential research questions or hypotheses in this research scenario.
Similarities Between Exploratory and Explanatory Research
Apart from their differences, there are some similarities between exploratory and explanatory research as well. The most prominent similarity between the two is that both use scientific data collection methods and scientific analysis. Additionally, both exploratory and explanatory research can result in new research questions or hypotheses that can direct future investigations and advance our understanding of a subject.
You must first understand your exact research question, the nature of the phenomena being studied, and the resources you have at your disposal. These will help you determine which research technique can be a better fit based on your goals. Ultimately, the type of research methodology to choose can have a grave impact on your overall research process.
