EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
Research design in case of exploratory research studies: Exploratory research studies are also
termed as formulative research studies. The main purpose of such studies is that of formulating a
problem for more precise investigation or of developing the working hypotheses from an operational
point of view. The major emphasis in such studies is on the discovery of ideas and insights. As such
the research design appropriate for such studies must be flexible enough to provide opportunity for
considering different aspects of a problem under study. Inbuilt flexibility in research design is needed
because the research problem, broadly defined initially, is transformed into one with more precise
meaning in exploratory studies, which fact may necessitate changes in the research procedure for
gathering relevant data. Generally, the following three methods in the context of research design for
such studies are talked about: (a) the survey of concerning literature; (b) the experience survey and (c)
the analysis of ‘insight-stimulating’ examples.
The survey of concerning literature happens to be the most simple and fruitful method of formulating
precisely the research problem or developing hypothesis. Hypotheses stated by earlier workers may be
reviewed and their usefulness be evaluated as a basis for further research. It may also be considered
whether the already stated hypotheses suggest new hypothesis. In this way the researcher should
review and build upon the work already done by others, but in cases where hypotheses have not yet
been formulated, his task is to review the available material for deriving the relevant hypotheses from
it.
Besides, the bibliographical survey of studies, already made in one’s area of interest may as well as
made by the researcher for precisely formulating the problem. He should also make an attempt to
apply concepts and theories developed in different research contexts to the area in which he is himself
working. Sometimes the works of creative writers also provide a fertile ground for hypothesis
formulation and as such may be looked into by the researcher.
Experience survey means the survey of people who have had practical experience with the problem to
be studied. The object of such a survey is to obtain insight into the relationships between variables
and new ideas relating to the research problem. For such a survey people who are competent and can
contribute new ideas may be carefully selected as respondents to ensure a representation of different
types of experience. The respondents so selected may then be interviewed by the investigator. The
researcher must prepare an interview schedule for the systematic questioning of informants. But the
interview must ensure flexibility in the sense that the respondents should be allowed to raise issues
and questions which the investigator has not previously considered. Generally, the experience
collecting interview is likely to be long and may last for few hours. Hence, it is often considered
desirable to send a copy of the questions to be discussed to the respondents well in advance. This will
also give an opportunity to the respondents for doing some advance thinking over the various issues
involved so that, at the time of interview, they may be able to contribute effectively. Thus, an
experience survey may enable the researcher to define the problem more concisely and help in the
formulation of the research hypothesis. This survey may as well provide information about the
practical possibilities for doing different types of research.
Analysis of ‘insight-stimulating’ examples is also a fruitful method for suggesting hypotheses for
research. It is particularly suitable in areas where there is little experience to serve as a guide. This
method consists of the intensive study of selected instances of the phenomenon in which one is
interested. For this purpose the existing records, if any, may be examined, the unstructured
interviewing may take place, or some other approach may be adopted. Attitude of the investigator, the
intensity of the study and the ability of the researcher to draw together diverse information into a
unified interpretation are the main features which make this method an appropriate procedure for
evoking insights.
Research design in case of exploratory research studies: Exploratory research studies are also
termed as formulative research studies. The main purpose of such studies is that of formulating a
problem for more precise investigation or of developing the working hypotheses from an operational
point of view. The major emphasis in such studies is on the discovery of ideas and insights. As such
the research design appropriate for such studies must be flexible enough to provide opportunity for
considering different aspects of a problem under study. Inbuilt flexibility in research design is needed
because the research problem, broadly defined initially, is transformed into one with more precise
meaning in exploratory studies, which fact may necessitate changes in the research procedure for
gathering relevant data. Generally, the following three methods in the context of research design for
such studies are talked about: (a) the survey of concerning literature; (b) the experience survey and (c)
the analysis of ‘insight-stimulating’ examples.
The survey of concerning literature happens to be the most simple and fruitful method of formulating
precisely the research problem or developing hypothesis. Hypotheses stated by earlier workers may be
reviewed and their usefulness be evaluated as a basis for further research. It may also be considered
whether the already stated hypotheses suggest new hypothesis. In this way the researcher should
review and build upon the work already done by others, but in cases where hypotheses have not yet
been formulated, his task is to review the available material for deriving the relevant hypotheses from
it.
Besides, the bibliographical survey of studies, already made in one’s area of interest may as well as
made by the researcher for precisely formulating the problem. He should also make an attempt to
apply concepts and theories developed in different research contexts to the area in which he is himself
working. Sometimes the works of creative writers also provide a fertile ground for hypothesis
formulation and as such may be looked into by the researcher.
Experience survey means the survey of people who have had practical experience with the problem to
be studied. The object of such a survey is to obtain insight into the relationships between variables
and new ideas relating to the research problem. For such a survey people who are competent and can
contribute new ideas may be carefully selected as respondents to ensure a representation of different
types of experience. The respondents so selected may then be interviewed by the investigator. The
researcher must prepare an interview schedule for the systematic questioning of informants. But the
interview must ensure flexibility in the sense that the respondents should be allowed to raise issues
and questions which the investigator has not previously considered. Generally, the experience
collecting interview is likely to be long and may last for few hours. Hence, it is often considered
desirable to send a copy of the questions to be discussed to the respondents well in advance. This will
also give an opportunity to the respondents for doing some advance thinking over the various issues
involved so that, at the time of interview, they may be able to contribute effectively. Thus, an
experience survey may enable the researcher to define the problem more concisely and help in the
formulation of the research hypothesis. This survey may as well provide information about the
practical possibilities for doing different types of research.
Analysis of ‘insight-stimulating’ examples is also a fruitful method for suggesting hypotheses for
research. It is particularly suitable in areas where there is little experience to serve as a guide. This
method consists of the intensive study of selected instances of the phenomenon in which one is
interested. For this purpose the existing records, if any, may be examined, the unstructured
interviewing may take place, or some other approach may be adopted. Attitude of the investigator, the
intensity of the study and the ability of the researcher to draw together diverse information into a
unified interpretation are the main features which make this method an appropriate procedure for
evoking insights.
