Question

Which of the following research approaches is an example of an exploratory type of research?

1. Establishing facts and relationships of past events
2. Testing how well a program, practice, or policy is working
3. Refining a hypothesis on the relationships among phenomena
4. Portraying the characteristics of persons, situations, or groups

Answer 1

Exploratory research, such as portraying the characteristics of persons, situations, or groups, is a flexible approach that helps in gaining in-depth understanding without starting with a fixed hypothesis. Option 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The research approach that exemplifies an exploratory type of research is option 4: Portraying the characteristics of persons, situations, or groups. This approach is often used in the preliminary stages of research to gain a deeper understanding of a phenomenon, population, or setting.

Exploratory research methods, such as interviews, observations, and case studies, help researchers develop approaches to explore the topic without a predetermined hypothesis, leading to increased insights that guide future research.

Unlike other research methods that focus on testing hypotheses (option 1), evaluating a program's effectiveness (option 2), or refining hypotheses (option 3), exploratory research is about discovering new information and understanding the nuances of the subject being studied.

It allows researchers to be flexible, adapting their methods as new findings emerge, and often leads to formulating new questions or hypotheses.

So option 4 is correct.