As an expert in the field of research methodologies, I can provide a comprehensive understanding of what an explanatory research design entails. Explanatory research is a type of study that aims to uncover the underlying reasons behind observed phenomena. It seeks to establish causal relationships between variables, which is a critical aspect of scientific inquiry. Here's a detailed look at the concept:

### Definition and Purpose

Explanatory research is defined as a systematic inquiry that seeks to explain the causal relationships between variables. It is often used after exploratory and descriptive research phases, where the researcher has already identified the phenomena of interest and described its characteristics.

The purpose of explanatory research is to answer "why" and "how" questions. It aims to provide explanations for the observed effects by identifying the causes. This is particularly important in fields such as social sciences, psychology, economics, and public health, where understanding the reasons behind certain behaviors or outcomes is crucial.

### Key Features


1. Causality Focus: The primary focus is on establishing causality, which is a challenging aspect of research due to the complexity of real-world phenomena.


2. Hypothesis Testing: Researchers formulate hypotheses that propose a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. These hypotheses are then tested through the research process.


3. Controlled Conditions: To isolate the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable, explanatory research often involves controlled conditions. This can be achieved through experimental designs or quasi-experimental designs.


4. Statistical Analysis: Advanced statistical techniques are used to analyze the data and determine if there is a significant relationship between the variables that can be attributed to the independent variable.


5. Generalizability: While explanatory research can be highly controlled, the extent to which the findings can be generalized to other contexts or populations is a consideration.

### Process

The process of conducting explanatory research typically involves the following steps:


1. Problem Identification: The researcher identifies a problem or question that requires an explanation.


2. Literature Review: A review of existing literature to understand the current state of knowledge and identify gaps.


3. Hypothesis Formulation: Based on the literature review and theoretical framework, the researcher develops hypotheses that propose a cause-and-effect relationship.


4. Research Design: The researcher designs the study to test the hypotheses. This could involve an experiment, a quasi-experiment, or a non-experimental design depending on the nature of the research question.


5. Data Collection: Data is collected through various methods such as surveys, observations, or experiments.


6. Data Analysis: The collected data is analyzed using statistical methods to test the hypotheses.

7.
Interpretation: The results are interpreted to determine if the hypotheses are supported and to understand the implications of the findings.

8.
Conclusion: The researcher draws conclusions based on the analysis and discusses the implications for theory and practice.

### Limitations

Despite its importance, explanatory research has its limitations:


1. Complexity of Causality: Establishing true causality is difficult due to the presence of confounding variables and the potential for bias.


2. Ethical Concerns: Some forms of experimental research may raise ethical issues, particularly when manipulating variables that could affect participants.


3. Resource Intensive: Conducting a well-controlled explanatory study can be time-consuming and expensive.


4. External Validity: Highly controlled experiments may lack external validity, meaning the findings may not apply to real-world situations.

### Conclusion

Explanatory research is a vital tool in the researcher's toolkit for understanding the causes behind observed phenomena. It plays a critical role in advancing knowledge and informing decision-making in various fields. While it has its challenges, the pursuit of understanding causality is a fundamental aspect of scientific inquiry.

read more >>

We began exploring something new with exploratory research. Then, we conducted descriptive research to increase our knowledge of it. Lastly, we need to explain it. Explanatory research is defined as an attempt to connect ideas to understand cause and effect, meaning researchers want to explain what is going on.read more >>