Hi Paul, 

What exactly do you mean by 'exploratory'? If you can post your question/questions, we could provide you with appropriate resources. 

Dear Paul,

There are methods to do with exploring what might happen in the future. They are sometimes called futures techniques. One I recommended to a student recently is the Delphi Method. Here is a summary of it from Wikipedia:

The Delphi method is a very popular technique used in Futures Studies. It was developed by Gordon and Helmer in 1953 at RAND. It can be defined as a method for structuring a group communication process, so that the process is effective in allowing a group of individuals, as a whole, to deal with a complex problem.

It uses the iterative, independent questioning of a panel of experts to assess the timing, probability, significance and implications of factors, trends and events in the relation to the problem being considered. Panelists are not brought together but individually questioned in rounds. After the initial round, the panelists are given lists of anonymous answers from other panelists which they can use to refine their own views.

Studies employing Delphi method tend to be difficult to perform. The application of the Delphi method requires a great deal of attention to the selection of participating experts and the questionnaires have to be scrupulously prepared and tested in advance. The initial preparation and follow-up rounds of questioning of the panelists tends to be time consuming.

Delphi's primary strength is its ability to explore, tranquilly and objectively, issues that require judgement. Unlike panel sessions, the iterative Delphi method allows the forecasting and assessment to be done without the effect of strong personalities or reputations influencing other panelists and also overcomes the difficulty of getting all experts together in a single time and place.

Hi Peter - I concur with Olga's original sentiment. We cannot know Paul's interpretation of exploratory research methods until we hear back from him - nor what is implied by 'future learning systems' (by the way Paul - I used to work at the University of Hull - 1996-2000). It would be unwise to put the answer into one methodology i.e. Delphi Technique - especially as it is only one of many approaches to exploratory research and it's been around for some time now - so not sure how it fits the future bill and, despite the Wikipedia mention, it's not that difficult to perform. I'm hoping that the attached will assist. The first places Delphi within the mixed method category. 

Thanks guys my question has been partly answered vis a vis more reading and research Stebbins has a good review of concenated exploration that is interesting. However I am still struggling with the methods to approach what is a subjective research that has to rely on empirical data? Could it be inductive/posterior? How do you link say 20 years of research and general developmenot into a valid exploratory research piece that is predictive?