You are about to test a theory about decreasing sales in certain markets and their causes. You are involved in what type of research?
A) exploratory
B) descriptive
C) explanatory
D) focus group
E) ethnographic

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Explanatory research is designed to explain cause-and-effect relationships. In this scenario, the researcher is attempting to test a theory about the causes of decreasing sales in certain markets, which involves exploring potential causes and their relationships to sales trends. Descriptive research would seek to describe the sales trends but not necessarily offer an explanation for their changes, while exploratory research involves seeking to identify previously unknown patterns or relationships. Focus group research and ethnographic research involve more detailed and specific qualitative data collection methods, and while they may be used in support of explanatory research, they do not describe the overall approach to researching this specific problem.

You Are About to Test a Theory About Decreasing Sales