Other points of Comparison of characteristics of Exploratory, Descriptive and Causal Research Designs

Exploratory RA

Research Approach : Unstructured and Flexible

Descriptive RA

Research Approach : Formal and Structured

Causal RA

Research Approach: Highly Structured

Exploratory DoP

Degree of the Problem : Not well defined

Descriptive DoP

Degree of then Problem : Variables are defined

Causal DoP

Degree of the Problem : Variables and relationships are defined

Exploratory WtU

When to use : Initial Research

Descriptive WtU

When to use : Often a follow up to Exploratory research

Causal WtU

When to use : Late stage of decision-making

Exploratory GaO

Goals and Objectives : Provide Insights on a problem

Descriptive GaO

Goals and Objectives : Describe situations

Causal GaO

Goals and Objectives : Explains the cause and effect relationship between variables

Exploratory SS

Sample size : Small non-representable

Descriptive SS

Sample Size : Large representative sample

Causal SS

Sample size : Large representative sample

Exploratory ToH

Types of Hypothesis : Research Questions only

Descriptive ToH

Types of hypothesis : Hypothesis is non directional

Causal ToH

Types of Hypothesis : Hypothesis is non directional

Exploratory DMaM

Data Management and Measurement: Data may not be statistically measurable

Descriptive DMaM

Data and Management and Measurement : Data are statistically measureable

Causal DMaM

Data Management and Measurement : Data are statistically measureable.