exploratory investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exploratory investigation" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a type of investigation or research that is conducted for the purpose of gaining initial information or understanding about a topic, rather than providing definitive conclusions. Example: The team conducted an exploratory investigation into the effects of climate change on local wildlife populations before beginning their formal research project.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The CIA said it had opened an "exploratory" investigation into the conduct of Petraeus.

The Guardian

The CIA on Thursday opened an exploratory investigation into Petraeus' conduct.

The Guardian

This is the impetus behind this exploratory investigation.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

200 g batches were run in the exploratory investigation.

Chemical Engineering Science

An initial exploratory investigation of system behavior was performed to guide future testing.

Environmental Systems Research

The results of this exploratory investigation provide useful suggestions for policy design and further research on industrial energy efficiency.

Energy Policy

In this paper, we present an exploratory investigation of an end-use PET using a Value Sensitive Design approach.

Decision Support Systems

This study was a descriptive and exploratory investigation of patient perceptions of treatment at an osteopathic training clinic.

Manual Therapy

In addition, within the limitations of an exploratory investigation, our findings suggest that endostatin may outperform two previously proposed AKI markers, cystatin C and NGAL.

Annals of Intensive Care

However, as this was determined to be an exploratory investigation and an extensive amount of time was required for treating each participant, we targeted 20 participants per group.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This study represents an exploratory investigation of the 123I-CMICE-013 biodistribution profile using in vivo whole-body imaging and validation with tissue analysis.

EJNMMI Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When beginning a new area of research, use "exploratory investigation" to signal that your findings are preliminary and intended to guide further, more focused studies.

Common error

Avoid presenting the results of an "exploratory investigation" as definitive. Instead, frame them as insights that warrant further, more rigorous examination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exploratory investigation" functions as a noun phrase, where "exploratory" modifies "investigation". It describes a type of inquiry conducted to gain initial insights into a particular subject. Ludwig confirms that this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

86%

News & Media

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exploratory investigation" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a preliminary inquiry aimed at gaining initial insights into a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in scientific and formal contexts, setting the expectation that the findings are not definitive but rather serve as a foundation for further research. To enhance clarity, related phrases such as "preliminary inquiry" or "initial assessment" can be used. However, it's crucial to avoid overstating the conclusions drawn from an "exploratory investigation", recognizing its limitations and framing results as insights that warrant further examination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary inquiry

Replaces "investigation" with "inquiry", emphasizing the initial and fact-finding nature.

preliminary research

Swaps "investigation" for "research", a more general term for systematic inquiry.

initial assessment

Uses "assessment" instead of "investigation", highlighting the evaluative aspect of the initial study.

introductory study

Replaces "exploratory" with "introductory", framing the investigation as a starting point.

pilot study

Specifically refers to a small-scale study conducted to test feasibility in advance of a larger project.

trial investigation

Emphasizes the experimental or testing aspect of the initial investigation.

feasibility study

Focuses on determining the viability of an idea or project.

scoping study

Emphasizes the breadth and range of the initial research effort.

groundwork research

Implies that the research is laying the foundation for future studies.

reconnaissance survey

Highlights the initial surveying or scouting aspect of the investigation.

FAQs

How is an "exploratory investigation" different from a regular investigation?

An "exploratory investigation" is preliminary research to gain initial insights, whereas a regular investigation often aims for definitive answers. Exploratory studies are less structured and hypothesis-driven.

When is it appropriate to conduct an "exploratory investigation"?

It's appropriate when you have limited information about a topic and need to gather initial data to form hypotheses or guide future research. It's useful in new fields or when approaching a problem from a novel angle.

What are the limitations of an "exploratory investigation"?

Limitations include small sample sizes, potential for bias, and the inability to draw firm conclusions. Findings from an exploratory study should be confirmed through more rigorous methods.

What can I call an "exploratory investigation" to emphasize its preliminary nature?

You could use terms like "preliminary inquiry", "initial assessment", or "pilot study" to highlight the study's role in providing initial insights.