Final answer:
Exploratory research is used to clarify problems and develop hypotheses, descriptive research aims to describe characteristics of a population, and causal research seeks to uncover cause-and-effect relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences Between Exploratory, Descriptive, and Causal Research
Research in the context of business and management can be broadly classified into three types: exploratory research, descriptive research, and causal research. These methodologies vary based on the objectives and can be selected depending on the research question at hand.
Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is often conducted at the initial stages of a research project and is used to clarify and define the nature of a problem. It is not intended to provide conclusive evidence, but rather to explore the research topic to formulate more precise questions or develop hypotheses. Methods such as ethnographic field research, informal interviews, and content analysis are suitable for exploratory research as they help to gather in-depth insights and understand the context better.
Descriptive Research
Descriptive research aims to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon, answering questions of 'who, what, where, when, and how'. This method uses tools like surveys and historical secondary data analysis to obtain information that can be generalized to a larger population. However, it does not establish cause-and-effect relationships.
Causal Research
Causal research is used to determine the effect of one variable upon another variable. This type of research seeks to find cause-and-effect relationships and is typified by the use of experiments. The data from causal research can lead to a clearer understanding of the nature of the cause-and-effect links between variables.
Each research method suits particular research questions and objectives, and their appropriateness depends on what the researcher aims to discover or establish. While exploratory research allows for a broad understanding, descriptive research categorizes and measures aspects of the study, and causal research delves into determining the relationships between variables.