EXPLANATORY
RESEARCH

WHAT IS EXPLANATORY RESEARCH?
• Explanatory research is a research method that investigates why
something occurs when only limited information is available. It can
help you gain a better understanding of a subject, determine how or
why a particular phenomenon occurs, and forecast future
occurrences.
• Explanatory research is a research method that investigates why
something happens when only limited information is available. It can
help you gain a better understanding of a subject, determine how or
why a particular phenomenon occurs, and forecast future
occurrences.

Example of Explanatory
• Why are pre-kindergarten significant to child learning? This
question shows a possible casual relationship and
investigates a relationship among variables.
• Why do undergraduate students obtain higher average
grades in the first semester than in the second semester?
• A science teacher describing to his students how plants need
sunlight to grow.