exploratory research

USAGE SUMMARY

'exploratory research' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to research that is done in order to gain new insight on a topic or to uncover new questions. For example, "The team conducted exploratory research to better understand customer needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An exploratory research design was utilised.

Progress in Aerospace Sciences

The preference for novel, exploratory research over solid, evidence-building replications exacerbates these problems.

The Guardian

Hear from Jocelyn as she describes her exploratory research.

Cornell University

Pettersen, E. F. et al. UCSF Chimera-A visualization system for exploratory research and analysis.

Nature

Pettersen, E. F. et al. UCSF Chimera a visualization system for exploratory research and analysis.

Nature

Pettersen, E. F. et al. UCSF chimera--a visualization system for exploratory research and analysis.

Nature

Pettersen, E. F. et al. UCSF Chimera a visualization system for exploratory research and analysis.

Nature

Pettersen, E. F. et al. UCSF Chimera--a visualization system for exploratory research and analysis.

Nature

Chien is speaking at the Emerging Technologies Conference today about Intel's exploratory research projects.

MIT Technology Review

Pettersen, E. F. et al. UCSF Chimera — a visualization system for exploratory research and analysis.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This research was supported by Romanian CNCSIS UEFISCSU, Complex Exploratory Research Projectct (Grant No.: PCCE248/2010).

BMC Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conducting "exploratory research", clearly define the scope and objectives, even if they are broad. This helps maintain focus and prevents the research from becoming aimless.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions from "exploratory research". The primary goal is to generate hypotheses and identify potential areas for further investigation, not to provide conclusive answers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exploratory research" functions as a noun phrase, where "exploratory" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "research". It describes a type of research characterized by its open-ended and investigative nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

Academia

24%

News & Media

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exploratory research" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that describes preliminary investigations aimed at discovering new insights and generating hypotheses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially in science, academia, and news media. This type of research is characterized by its open-ended approach and is often used to justify the need for further, more focused studies. Remember to avoid overgeneralizing findings from exploratory research and clearly define the scope and objectives. Related phrases include "preliminary research" and "scoping research", which can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exploring research

Uses the gerund form 'exploring' to emphasize the ongoing process of investigation.

exploration research

Uses 'exploration' instead of 'exploratory', providing a slightly different emphasis on the act of exploring.

preliminary research

Stresses the early stage of the research, suggesting it is a precursor to more in-depth studies.

reconnaissance research

Replaces 'exploratory' with 'reconnaissance', suggesting an initial investigation to gather information.

pathfinder research

Emphasizes the role of the research as a preliminary step, like a 'pathfinder' exploring new territory.

scoping research

Focuses on defining the scope or boundaries of a research area.

prospecting research

Suggests research aimed at discovering or identifying potential opportunities or resources.

explanatory research

Shifts focus to uncovering explanations rather than simply exploring, implying a deeper dive.

tentative research

Emphasizes the uncertainty and provisional nature of the research findings.

experimental research

Highlights the experimental nature of the research, implying a trial-and-error approach.

FAQs

How is "exploratory research" typically used in academic writing?

"Exploratory research" is often used to justify the need for further investigation into a relatively unknown area. It helps to establish a foundation for more focused studies.

What are some alternative phrases for "exploratory research"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary research", "scoping research", or "reconnaissance research" depending on the specific context.

How does "exploratory research" differ from confirmatory research?

"Exploratory research" aims to discover new insights and hypotheses, while confirmatory research tests existing hypotheses. The former is open-ended, while the latter is structured and focused.

When is it appropriate to use "exploratory research" methods?

Use "exploratory research" methods when you lack a clear understanding of a topic and need to gather initial information to formulate research questions and hypotheses.