方法对比

	多元探索性定量研究	探索性定量研究
领域	研究设计	研究设计
方法族	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
起源年份	1930s–1960s (foundational multivariate methods); codified in research design literature from the 1980s onward	Mid-20th century (codified in social research methods texts c. 1950s–1970s)
提出者	Hair, Tabachnick, and colleagues (canonical synthesis); roots in Fisher, Hotelling, and Thurstone (early 20th century)	Earl Babbie; John Creswell (systematic codification in social science methods)
类型	Quantitative research design	Non-experimental quantitative research design
开创性文献	Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate Data Analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-1473756540	Babbie, E. (2021). The Practice of Social Research (15th ed.). Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-0357360767
别名	multivariate exploratory design, exploratory multivariate analysis, multivariate data exploration, MEQ research	quantitative exploratory design, exploratory survey research, initial quantitative investigation, preliminary quantitative study
相关	5	4
摘要	Multivariate exploratory quantitative research is a design in which researchers simultaneously examine multiple quantitative variables without imposing a predetermined structural model, using techniques such as exploratory factor analysis, cluster analysis, or principal component analysis to detect latent patterns, natural groupings, or underlying dimensions in the data. The goal is discovery and pattern recognition rather than hypothesis confirmation.	Exploratory quantitative research is a non-experimental design used when a phenomenon is insufficiently understood to support formal hypothesis testing. The researcher collects numerical data — typically through surveys, structured observation, or existing records — to describe distributions, detect patterns, and generate hypotheses that more targeted confirmatory studies can subsequently test. It occupies the first stage of a cumulative quantitative research programme.