When a research study is conducted to know about an unknown area and collect information, it is known as

A study conducted to learn about an unknown area and collect information is exploratory research.

It maps unfamiliar terrain and generates ideas and hypotheses for later work.

Pilot study only pretests tools and procedures on a small scale.

Feasibility study checks whether a full study is practicable.

Explanatory research seeks causes once a problem is already defined.

Exploratory designs stay flexible and open ended.