EXPLORATORY RESEARCH: TYPES, METHODOLOGY AND EXAMPLES - SCIENCE - 2025

The exploratory research corresponds to the first approach to a specific topic before boarding on a deeper investigative work. It is a process to have basic information related to the research problem.

For example, if a new species of animal is discovered, an exploratory investigation could first be carried out to obtain data on it; morphology, habitat, reproduction, nutrition, behavior, respiration, etc. Later, specific investigations could be carried out to answer specific research questions, such as: how does it breathe? How does it reproduce?

From exploratory research, the true implications of a given problem can be known, as well as which are the most interesting aspects that are pertinent to address in an investigation.

Every research process starts from an exploratory action; Whether the researcher does not fully know the subject to be discussed or wants to understand its scope, exploratory research corresponds to that first approach that will allow a better management of the object of study.

The results of the exploratory research are approximate, so a more in-depth subsequent study will always be needed to corroborate the first deductions and, in some cases, open new lines of research.

Characteristics of the exploratory research

It constitutes a first approach to the problem

Through exploratory research, researchers will be able to begin to become familiar with the topic that is intended to be developed in an investigative work.

This initial approach is very important to understand the magnitude of the problem, what are the elements or actors involved and what would be some of the most relevant points of interest.

Furthermore, a first approximation can give indications on how the subject could be approached and if it will be necessary to extend the research to other related areas.

It's a superficial look

Because it is a first approach, exploratory research is superficial. Determining conclusions are not expected as a result of the investigative work; rather, it is expected to have introductory data to explain the main characteristics of the topic to be developed.

In exploratory research, researchers rely on approximate data and information obtained through observation, all of which are superficial to some extent. If the research work evolves, then they will consider different methods and deeper approaches.

Allows methodological flexibility

The methods used to obtain the information should not be entirely rigorous. As we have said previously, exploratory research only seeks to know the most relevant features of the problem to be developed.

Therefore, the researcher can choose with a little more freedom which methods to use to acquire the information he needs, and can allow himself some flexibility in the collection of such data.

Helps to delimit the research problem

Understanding the topic to be developed prior to entering into its study allows researchers to define the problem to be developed much better.

Exploratory research allows a first approach with less pressure of time and resources, since it is carried out before launching a whole investigative process of magnitude.

This makes it easier for researchers to decide in advance and with pertinent information which edges of a topic they will develop; thanks to this the whole process becomes much more efficient.

It is part of every investigative process

Any type of investigation must begin with an exploratory investigation. Without having a clear idea (even if it is superficial) about a research problem and its characteristics, it is impossible to carry out an efficient research work that responds directly to the problem in question.

For this reason, the first approach is essential and, if you like, corresponds to one of the most important moments of the entire research process.

You can follow the path traced or open new lines of investigation

In an exploratory investigation, researchers have ample possibilities to decide what will be the handling of the topic to be developed.

If, after their observations, they consider that the considered approach is valid and pertinent, they can develop it in a much deeper investigative work.

On the contrary, if they determine that the perspective taken into account does not constitute a valid research problem, they have all the freedom to discard the chosen problem and consider new lines of research, related or not to the first topic.

Types

Exploratory research allows to have a first approach to a research problem. Source: pixabay.com

When a researcher approaches a research problem for the first time, it should not be based only on his own observation, since the idea is to have a clear idea and as soon as possible to be able to decide in an assertive way if it is pertinent or not to delve into the problem. selected.

Therefore, there are two main types of exploratory research that researchers usually apply: consulting experts in the area and document review.

Consult experts

This type of exploratory research allows you to obtain a great deal of valuable information from people who are knowledgeable about the subject.

In order for it to work properly, the experts to consult must be carefully chosen. They must be people who handle the subject fully, who have studied this or other directly related subjects and who have relevant information in relation to it.

Failure to select the correct team of experts will run the risk of having little useful information, which will lead to erroneous approximations and will work against an efficient investigation process.

Document review

The documentary review in exploratory research consists of approaching the subject of study through bibliographic data that have a direct link with the research problem.

This scope includes other research works, such as theses, projects or reports, as well as specialist books, surveys, statistics and any type of analysis that is related to the chosen problem.

It is important that the documentary sources that are considered are reliable and that their veracity can be verified. Otherwise, the entire investigation will be based on weak elements.

It is prudent to go to publications edited by prestigious universities, recognized research centers and / or long-standing researchers with wide recognition in the study area.

Design

As mentioned above, the design of an exploratory research allows some flexibility, because the main function of this type of research is not to obtain fully verified answers, but rather to be the entry point for a deeper development of the topic.

Therefore, the research design will depend on the choice of the researcher, and the same will happen with the methods that he finally uses.

One of the most recommended designs links two methods and research. That is, a direct approach is considered through surveys, interviews and other tools of direct access to the problem to be investigated.

This approach is complemented by the review of research carried out in the past and related to the subject, carried out by recognized experts in the research field. Each of these methods will be explained in detail in the next section.

Methods for exploratory research

There are two main methods associated with exploratory research: the first involves a direct approach by the researcher to the problem to be developed; the second implies an approach to the problem through the work of third parties. Below we will detail the characteristics of each variant:

Primary method

Through the primary method, the researcher directly approaches the elements related to the topic to be developed. In this way, he takes first-hand information and collects it, and then analyzes it and verifies whether he can actually proceed with the investigation.

One of the main tools of this design is observation. Through this, the researcher gets a first notion of the characteristics of the study problem. There is no interaction with the subject, but their reactions related to the topic that is being developed are observed.

Likewise, the researcher can also make use of other statistical tools such as surveys; These can provide valuable information very quickly.

Interviews with subjects linked to the research problem can also be scheduled, as well as focus groups with relevant actors that help to have a clear notion of the problem.

Secondary method

Through the secondary method, the researcher obtains the argument from sources external to him, such as previous works, published books related to the subject or even case studies that develop problems equal to or related to the one chosen.

Since it will not be the researcher who collects the information first-hand, it is important to be completely sure that the selected data is plausible; The foundations of an exploratory investigation should involve only verified information.

Steps for an exploratory investigation

Establishment of the research problem

The first necessary action in the framework of an exploratory research is to choose what will be the topic to be developed.

As in any other research, the ideal is that the chosen problem has an impact on a specific group and whose solution is necessary to generate progress, whatever the specific area.

This first approach to the subject can be open; in fact, one of the characteristics of exploratory research is that it helps in delineating the topic, so early in the process it can be broad.

Confirmation or denial of the problem

Through the aforementioned research methods, the researcher must verify whether the chosen problem is indeed valid and viable, or if on the contrary it must be approached from another point of view.

It is important that during this stage the researcher collects as much information as possible, through which he can get a first idea of ​​the implications and scope of the research problem.

This stage will be essential for the rest of the process, it is decisive to decide whether or not to continue with the investigation.

Generating a hypothesis

In short, an exploratory investigation seeks to generate a hypothesis that gives rise to the development of other, more in-depth investigations.

Once you have determined what is the fundamental notion related to the chosen research problem and what the implications are, you can create a hypothesis that is supported by the information collected.

As we have indicated previously, this hypothesis can follow the line of the original problem, or it can pose a completely different situation that merits study. The researcher is the one who must make this decision.

It may happen that at the end of the process a hypothesis cannot be generated, either because not enough supporting information was obtained or because it was determined that the research problem does not have the required viability.

In this case, the appropriate thing is to pose a new research problem and start the process from the first step.

Examples

Women and scientific university careers

In an exploratory research in this area, the research problem may seek to answer the question: "Is there a social prejudice that makes it difficult for women to choose scientific university degrees?"

The research should include interviews with members of the faculty of the most prominent universities in the scientific areas of the region in question, as well as surveys of young people who are about to graduate from high school through which they are asked what they want to study in the university and why.

It would also be interesting to bring together young people who have expressed their desire to specialize in the scientific area and talk with them about their main motivations and expectations.

Finally, it would be very important to have interviews with women specialists in the area of ​​science, so that they can talk about their own expectations when they began to study, what interested them most in the beginning about science and what were the main obstacles they encountered. found in the process.

All this information must be complemented with research done previously related to the access that women have to scientific university studies, and about professional women who practice in this area of ​​knowledge.

Once all the basic information has been obtained, it could be defined that it is a valid research problem and that it can be deepened through more complex investigations.

Effects of war toys on children

In this case, the research problem could be posed in this way: "toys that refer to war generate violent behavior in the children who use them."

To get closer to the subject, you can talk with child psychologists who report on the possible implications of this type of toys in infants. You can also contact long-standing toy manufacturers who design these types of instruments.

A focus group can be carried out with children of similar ages to each other and, with the advice of psychologists, talk with them about how they conceive violence and whether they relate it to toys linked to instruments of war.

After having collected the information, the researcher could consider it to be a relevant and viable line of research, so the initial research question is corroborated and taken to the next level in the research field.

Themes of interest

Scientific method.

Basic investigation.

Field research.

Applied research.

Pure research.

Explanatory research.

Descriptive research.

Observational study.

References

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