Exploratory Research Design in Management Science: A Review of Literature on Conduct and Application
SAKA Rahmon Olawale, OSADEME Gloria Chinagozi, ONONOKPONO Nyong Joe
Abstract
The study examined the conduct and application of exploratory research design in management science. The study adopted an exploratory research design. Articles that utilised exploratory research design in management sciences were reviewed using a content analysis. Further, an evaluation of the types and methodologies, conduct, and application of exploratory research design in the field of management sciences was carried out. The study’s findings revealed that some researchers used exploratory research design appropriately in their studies, whereas others did not, resulting in inappropriate research design usage. The study concluded that knowledge of exploratory research design could help researchers better define, understand research problems, and advance research in management sciences. The study recommended that, researchers should choose research designs that they are most comfortable with and feel most competent to handle, but the choice should ideally be based on the nature of the research phenomenon being studied and information available.