This document discusses exploratory research methods and their purpose in research. It summarizes Boyer's model of scholarship and Dewey's theory of evidence-based learning. The document then outlines various exploratory research methods including focus groups, literature reviews, surveys, interviews, pilot studies, case studies, and qualitative vs. quantitative research designs. The goal of exploratory research is to initially clarify and define a problem without providing conclusive evidence, with the expectation that further research will be conducted.

1. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
ANDREE C. SWANSON, EDD, MHR, MAOM
FORBES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, ASHFORD UNIVERSITY

2. MANDATED RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS = FEAR

3. WHY RESEARCH?
 “… research-based scholarly
activity helps the individual
faculty member to become a
better teacher.”
(Richard & Parker, 1992, p. 79)
 “… leads to new and useful
theories…”
(Armstrong)

4. THEORY-BASED RESEARCH
BOYER AND DEWEY

5. BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

6. BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

7. BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

8. BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

9. BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

10. BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

11. JOHN DEWEY THEORY OF EVIDENCE-BASED LEARNING

12. DEWEY DEFINING INQUIRY
 “truth is inseparable
from action and
knowledge”
1. Indeterminate situation or an
area of felt difficulty
2. Recognize and state the
problem
3. Determine a reasonable and
plausible solution
4. Action… test the hypothesis

13. WHY CONDUCT EXPLORATORY RESEARCH?

14. RESEARCH AND TEACHING
 Necessary ingredient in
effective teaching
 Improves the practice of a
particular discipline
 Perpetuates the discipline
 All faculty should teach and
transmit knowledge
(Richard & Parker, 1992, p. 79)

15. HIGHLIGHTS OF EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
 Initial research conducted to
clarify and define the nature of
a problem
 Does not provide conclusive
evidence
 Subsequent research expected
 May not be as rigorous
 Sample sizes may be small
 Results may lead to your
next study

16. FOUR METHODS TO IMPLEMENT EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
 Focus groups
 Secondary research (a
literature review… find the
gaps)
 Expert / experience survey
 Open-ended questions

17. EXPERIENCE SURVEYS (EXPERT INTERVIEWS)
 Select a topic for a
research problem
 Ask knowledgeable
individuals
 Conduct interviews
 Conduct surveys
Surveymonkey
Qualtrics

18. PILOT STUDY
 Any small scale exploratory
study that uses sampling
 Does not apply rigorous
standards
 Not necessary to use…
 Validated survey tools
 May generate a survey
tool or theory from the
research results

19. CASE STUDY METHOD
 Intensely investigates one
or a few situations similar
to the problem
 Investigate in depth
 Careful study
 May require…
 Cooperation
 Permission

20. FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEWS
 Unstructured
 Free flowing
 Group interview
 Start with broad topic and
focus in on specific issues

21. GROUP COMPOSITION
 6 to 10 people
 Relatively homogeneous
 Similar lifestyles and
experiences

22. IRB APPROVAL Don’t forget to run ALL research through your Institution’s
Review Board.

23. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH VERSUS QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH DESIGN

24. QUALITATIVE VERSUS QUANTITATIVE

25. ROLE PLAY
 Let’s consider some topics
for potential research

26. BIOGRAPHY
DR. ANDREE SWANSON
FORBES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT ASHFORD UNIVERSITY

27.  Assistant Professor and Chair of the Bachelors of Arts in Business Leadership, Forbes
College of Business at Ashford University
 Ed.D. Educational Leadership, University of Phoenix
 MA, Organizational Management, University of Phoenix
 MHR, Human Relations, University of Oklahoma
 BS, Business Management and Administration, University of Maryland (European
Division)
 Worked as a Dean of General Education, National Training Manager, and the US
government (DoD, USAF, & USA), corporations, and higher education.
DR. ANDREE SWANSON
© 2014, Dr. Andree Swanson