Final answer:
Experimental laboratory-based research is categorized into Exploratory, Explanatory, and Confirmatory approaches, aligning with different phases of the scientific method including descriptive science, hypothesis formation, and hypothesis testing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Experimental laboratory-based research can generally be divided into three categories: Exploratory, Explanatory, and Confirmatory. These correspond to different stages and objectives within the scientific process.
Exploratory research investigates new findings, phenomena, or relationships without having a prior hypothesis; it's about discovery and observing patterns. Explanatory research seeks to clarify why certain patterns are observed by testing hypotheses that emerge from exploratory stages. Lastly, Confirmatory research involves testing a hypothesis with a predefined plan to validate the findings from both exploratory and explanatory phases.
This categorization aligns well with the scientific method, which often begins with descriptive science, passes through hypothesis formation, and eventually moves to hypothesis testing. Both exploratory and explanatory research can involve observational studies or controlled experiments depending on the nature of the study and the questions being posed.