Exploratory Research Plan Template

Purpose

The purpose of this tool is to help you create an exploratory research plan that will help you
determine the best research design, data collection method and selection of subjects for an
upcoming market research initiative.

How to Use this Template

Complete the following sections with your project team and/or stakeholders. Cut & paste this
information into a document that reflects your corporate image and deliver your Exploratory
Research Plan to senior executives for review & approval.

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 [Insert Company Name or Logo]

Exploratory Research Plan: (insert

project title)

[Insert Completion Date]

Completed By: [Insert Project Manager Name]

Completed For: [Insert Project Sponsor Name]

Content

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1. Overview
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1.1 Purpose
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1.2 Objectives
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1.3 Research Question

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2. Literature Review
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2.1 Summary
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2.2 Shortcomings
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2.3 Approaches
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2.5 Debates
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2.6 References
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3. Research Design
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3.1 Types of Data & Research Methods

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3.2 Sources of Data

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3.3 Sampling Plan

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 3.4 Data Collection Techniques
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3.5 Data Analysis

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4. Hypothesis
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5. Timetable
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6. Budget
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7. References
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1. Overview

1.1. Purpose

Provide a brief explanation of why the research is taking place.

1.2. Objectives

Identify and list your objectives here:

 Objective #1

 Objective #2

 Objective #3

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1.3. Research Question

For each objective listed above, formulate research questions and list them below:

 Research Question #1

 Research Question #2

 Research Question #3

2. Literature Review

The purpose of the literature review is to integrate your study into a broader framework of
relevant theory and research.

2.1. Summary

Summarize recent/authoritative literature on the proposed research problem as it relates to the

stated research problem.

2.2. Shortcomings

Indicate shortcomings in previous literature or lack of knowledge about the topic you intend to
research.

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2.3. Approaches

Note the conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches used by others in studying
related topics.

2.4. Strategies

Decide on your own conceptual/theoretical/methodological strategies and on how your own

study may contribute to improvements in this regard.

2.5. Debates

Be aware of important debates in the field of their research topic and should include them in a
nuanced discussion.

2.6. References

Use the correct referencing techniques.

3. Research Design

Use this section to elaborate on your research study design. Explain the types of data &
research methods to be used, the sources of your data, your sampling plan, the data collection
techniques to be explored, and your data analysis approach.

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3.1. Types of Data & Research Methods

Identify which types of data will work best with your study (i.e. qualitative, quantitative, or both
and primary, secondary, or both). Indicate the research methods/types that will be utilized. A
few research methods/types include, but are not limited to:

3.1.1. In-Depth Interviews

In-depth interviewing is a qualitative research technique that involves conducting intensive

individual interviews with a single respondent or a small number of respondents to explore
their perspectives on a particular idea, program, or situation.

For more information on In-Depth Interviews, review our In-Depth Interview Guide.

3.1.2. Focus Groups

Focus groups are a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about
their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept,
advertisement, idea, or packaging.

For more information on Focus Groups, review the following tools & templates:

 Focus Group Guide

 Facilitator Selection

 Facilitator Evaluation

 Focus Group Report Template

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3.1.3. Case Analysis

Case analysis is one of the most general and applicable methods of analytical thinking,
depending only on the division of a problem, decision or situation into a sufficient number of
separate cases. Analyzing each such case individually may be enough to resolve the initial
question. 

The purpose of case analysis is to review information that is similar and relevant to the
research problem.

3.1.4. Other Research Methods

To learn about more types of research methods, please review our Research Methods Guide.

3.2. Sources of Data

After the research methods have been selected, you will want to indicate the exact sources
your data will come from. For each research method, identify your data source and describe
how it will be beneficial to your research.

3.3. Sampling Plan

Exploratory research will require you to make generalizations about your findings. For this
reason, you will need to create a sampling plan in order to accurately portray the findings
associated with the research.

For each chosen research method, identify the following:

 Target population

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  Sampling units

 Sampling approach

 Sample size

3.4. Data Collection Techniques

Describe, in detail, how you will obtain your data sources, include all relevant information (i.e.
Who? What? When? Where?).

Describe, in detail, the specifics of each of your research methods. A few examples may be:

 Interview Questions

 Focus Group Topics

 A Case Analysis Outline

In this section, you will also want to consider the issue of Validity, which is integral in any
exploratory research study. Validity is a key concept in this type of research as it helps us
assess the quality & integrity of the research. Consider these questions:

 How well does your exploratory research study measure what it claims to?

 How credible is the evidence you are providing to answer your research question?

 Can we rule out other answers to our question with our findings?

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3.5. Data Analysis

Use this section to describe how the data collected will be analyzed. Specify your plan for
accurate analysis of your prospective data.

4. Hypothesis

Exploratory research is complete when the major dimensions of the problem have been
discovered this bringing clarity to the problem so that it’s possible to generate the hypotheses.

Enter the hypothesis in the space provided below:

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. Timetable

Using the table below, provide an estimation of your timetable for research development:

Date Deliverable

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 March Literature Review

April Planning (Research Design)

May Data Collection

June Data Analysis

July Final written report and presentation

6. Budget

Include an estimate of the costs associated with the research plan as well as the funding
model. You can also use the chart below as a preliminary overview of your expenses.

The budget can include, but is not limited to the following:

 Personnel

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 Travel

 Printing

 Supplies

 Technology

 Room Rentals

 Professional Services

Category Description of Expense Estimated Cost

Personnel 3 Researchers needed for 4 days $3,600.00

Travel 2 Flights to San Antonio $1,000.00

Printing 50 copies of data collected $200.00

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 Supplies To Be Determined (TBD) $0.00

Pro Services TBD $0.00

Total Cost $4,800.00

7. References

Use this page to list your references. Adhere to standard referencing techniques.

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