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Exploratory Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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exploratory

[ɪkˈsplɒrət(ə)ri ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

data analysis

relating to or involving exploration or investigation

Synonyms

investigative, probing, researching.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
exploratory

Used when referring to initial attempts to understand or investigate something, often in a tentative or preliminary phase. Common in academic, scientific, or medical contexts.

  • The company undertook an exploratory study to understand market trends
  • The explorers embarked on an exploratory mission to map the uncharted territory
investigative

Refers to activities focused on discovering the truth or uncovering detailed information, typically used in contexts involving journalism, law enforcement, or detailed research.

  • The journalist wrote an investigative report on the corruption scandal
  • The detective's investigative work led to the arrest of the suspect
researching

General term for systematically studying or gathering information on a subject. Often used in academic, scientific, or professional contexts when a thorough examination is required.

  • He spent years researching the history of the ancient civilization
  • The student was researching for a term paper on climate change
probing

Implies a deep, often intensive examination or questioning, sometimes perceived as intrusive. Frequently used in interviews, discussions, or analytical contexts.

  • The reporter's probing questions made the politician uncomfortable
  • She gave a probing look, clearly not satisfied with the shallow explanation

Examples of usage

  • exploratory data analysis is a crucial step in understanding the dataset
  • the exploratory phase of the research project involved gathering preliminary information

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In research, exploratory studies often help scientists form hypotheses for future experiments.
  • Exploratory data analysis involves summarizing data sets to uncover patterns or insights before formal modeling.

Education

  • Exploratory learning encourages students to engage directly with materials and questions, fostering curiosity.
  • This kind of learning often involves hands-on activities, which can improve retention and understanding.

Psychology

  • Exploratory behavior is linked to curiosity, affecting how individuals learn and adapt to new situations.
  • Those who display exploratory traits in personality tend to embrace new experiences and challenges.

Pop Culture

  • In video games, exploratory gameplay is hallmark, letting players roam open worlds and discover secrets.
  • Many iconic films feature exploratory journeys, reflecting humanity's desire to venture into the unknown.

Origin of 'exploratory'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'explorare,' meaning 'to investigate, seek out.'
  • It was first used in English during the early 19th century, mainly in scientific contexts.

The word 'exploratory' originates from the Latin word 'exploratorius', which means 'related to scouting or reconnaissance'. The term has been used in various fields to describe activities or processes involving discovery, investigation, or research. In the context of data analysis, 'exploratory' refers to the initial phase of examining data to discover patterns, trends, or relationships.

See also: exploration, explorations, explore, explorer, explorers, explores, exploring, unexplored.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,780, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.