Exploratory Research Examples

1.3.1 Exploratory Research

This type of research is carried out at the very beginning when the problem is not clear or is vague. In exploratory research, all possible reasons which are very obvious are eliminated, thereby directing the research to proceed further with limited options.

Sales decline in a company may be due to:

(1) Inefficient service

(2) Improper price

(3) Inefficient sales force

(4) Ineffective promotion

(5) Improper quality

The research executives must examine such questions to identify the most useful avenues for further research. Preliminary investigation of this type is called exploratory research. Expert surveys, focus groups, case studies and observation methods are used to conduct the exploratory survey.

1.3.2 Descriptive

It is related to some abstract idea or theory. In this type of research, the researcher should collect the data to prove or disapprove his hypothesis. The various ideologies or ‘isms’ are examples of conceptual research.

1.3.6 Causal Research

Causal research is conducted to determine the cause and effect relationship between the two variables.

Example: Effect of advertisement on sales.

1.3.7 Historical Research

The name itself indicates the meaning of the research. Historical study is a study of past records and data in order to understand the future trends and development of the organisation or market. There is no direct observation. The research has to depend on the conclusions or inferences drawn in the past.

For example, investors in the share market study the past records or prices of shares which he/she intends to buy. Studying the share prices of a particular company enables the investor to take decision whether to invest in the shares of a company.

Crime branch police/CBI officers study the past records or the history of the criminals and terrorists in order to arrive at some conclusions.

The main objective of this study is to derive explanation and generalization from the past trends in order to understand the present and anticipate the future.

There are however, certain shortcomings of Historical

Action research is conducted to solve a problem. Example: Test marketing a product is an example of action research. Initially, the geographical location is identified. A target sample is selected from among the population. Samples are distributed to selected samples and feedback is obtained from the respondent. This method is most common for industrial products, where a trial is a must before regular usage of the product.

1.3.10 Evaluation Research

This is an example of applied research. This research is conducted to find out how well a planned programme is implemented. Therefore, evaluation research deals with evaluating the performance or assessment of a project. Example: “Rural Employment Programme Evaluation” or “Success of Midday Meal Programme”.

1.3.11 Library Research

This is done to gather secondary data. This includes notes from the past data or review of the reports already