Question

A nurse researcher studied HIV risk factors and protective behaviors among bisexual men using a QUAN → qual design. Data were initially collected from 60 men using a structured questionnaire. In-depth follow-up interviews were then conducted with a subsample of 20 men to facilitate interpretation. Using the Cresswell and Plano Clark design terminology, what is the name of the design the researcher used?

	A.	Explanatory design
	B.	Embedded design
	C.	Exploratory design
	D.	Convergent design

Answer 1

The anwer is (C.) Exploratory design

Studies using exploratory designs. This design is best suited when there is little empirical knowledge about a particular research area (i.e., lack of a theoretical framework, instruments, or variables; Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007). Researchers choose to use an exploratory design when they need to first explore a phenomenon qualitatively before they can measure or test it (Creswell, Plano Clark, et al., 2003; Morgan, 1998). This design is often used when developing an instrument and is an essential aspect of the overall study (Creswell, 1999; Creswell et al., 2004).