What Are the Five Purposes of Research Explained Clearly?

Research helps people learn new things, understand problems, and make better choices. It’s not just for scientists, anyone can use research to answer questions about the world.

In this article, you’ll learn the five main purposes of research and see clear examples of how each one works in real life.

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1. Exploratory Research — Discovering New Ideas

Exploratory research is like opening a new door. You don’t know what’s inside, but you’re ready to learn. It often uses interviews, surveys, or discussions to gather first ideas.

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2. Descriptive Research — Explaining What Is Happening

Descriptive research paints a clear picture of a situation. It’s often done with polls, reports, or case studies.

3. Explanatory Research — Finding Out Why

This kind of research builds understanding by linking actions and results. It uses data, experiments, or comparisons.

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4. Predictive Research — Looking Ahead

Predictive research helps people plan ahead in business, health, or education. It uses numbers, trends, and computer models.

5. Applied Research — Solving Real Problems

Applied research turns ideas into action. It connects science, people, and practice to make life better.

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Summary: Five Purposes of Research

Apply the Five Purposes of Research with Confidence

Each of the five purposes of research (exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, predictive, and applied) plays a key role in building knowledge and solving problems. Understanding these purposes helps you plan better studies, collect stronger data, and communicate your results clearly.

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If you want to organize your research faster, Jenni AI can help you define your purpose, outline your goals, and turn your topic into a structured plan. Start using Jenni today to make your research process simple, focused, and effective.