Question

Compare and contrast exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory research. for my American food studies class.

Answer 1

Exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory research are three approaches used in social research. Exploratory research aims to explore unknown topics, descriptive research describes and analyzes existing data, and explanatory research aims to establish causal explanations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Exploratory research, descriptive research, and explanatory research are three different approaches used in social research.

Exploratory research is conducted when the researcher aims to explore a relatively unknown topic or phenomenon. It is often qualitative in nature and involves gathering preliminary information to develop hypotheses or research questions.

Descriptive research involves describing and analyzing existing data or phenomena. It aims to provide an accurate and comprehensive picture of a specific topic or population. Quantitative methods, such as surveys or experiments, are commonly used in descriptive research.

Explanatory research aims to explain the relationships between variables and establish causal explanations. It often involves conducting experiments or statistical analyses to test hypotheses and determine cause-effect relationships.

Answer 2

Exploratory research is usually conducted when a researcher has just begun an investigation and wishes to understand the topic generally. Descriptive research aims to describe or define the topic at hand. Explanatory research is aims to explain why particular phenomena work in the way that they do.