Page 87 - DMGT209_QUANTITATIVE_TECHNIQUES_II

Quantitative Techniques-II

Notes 6.2 Types of Research Designs

However, a frequently used classification system is to group research designs under three major
categories:

i. Research Designs in case of Exploratory Research Studies.
ii. Research Designs in case of Descriptive or Diagnostic Studies.
iii. Research Designs in case of Casual Research Studies.

6.3 Exploratory Research

The major emphasis in exploratory research is on converting broad, vague problem statements
into small, precise sub-problem statements, which is done in order to formulate specific
hypothesis. The hypothesis is a statement that specifies, “how two or more variables are related?”
In the early stages of research, we usually lack from sufficient understanding of the problem to
formulate a specific hypothesis. Further, there are often several tentative explanations.

Examples: 1. “Sales are down because our prices are too high”,
2. “our dealers or sales representatives are not doing a good job”,

3. “our advertisement is weak” and so on.
In this scenario, very little information is available to point out, what is the actual cause of the
problem. We can say that the major purpose of exploratory research is to identify the problem
more specifically. Therefore, exploratory study is used in the initial stages of research.

Did u know? Under what circumstances is exploratory study ideal?

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