Explanatory research is like asking why something happened after you see it happen.
Imagine you drop your favorite cookie on the floor, and it breaks into pieces. You might wonder: why did it break? Was it because it was soft, or because you dropped it from a high place? Explanatory research helps us figure out the reasons behind things, like why cookies break, why people laugh, or even why your toy car stops moving.
Like Solving a Mystery
Think of explanatory research as solving a mystery. You already know the cookie broke (that's the problem), and now you're trying to find out what made it break. Maybe you try dropping another cookie from the same height, or you use a harder cookie. Each test helps you get closer to the answer.
It’s Like Asking “Why?”
Just like when you ask why your friend is sad, explanatory research asks why something happened in a clear and fun way, using real tests, just like you would with cookies!
Examples
- A child wants to know why the sky is blue, so they ask their teacher.
- A baker tests different recipes to see which one makes the best cake.
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See also
- What is Research?
- What is Empirical research?
- What are research methods?
- How Does Consequences | Meaning of consequences Work?
- How Does Putting Student Curiosity at the Heart of Scientific Inquiry Work?