explorationsuch

Explorationsuch is a term used in some scholarly and design-oriented discourses to describe an approach to inquiry that foregrounds open-ended exploration over predetermined outcomes. It denotes a stance toward problem spaces as mutable, inviting a range of possibilities rather than a single target.

Etymology and scope: The word is a neologism blending exploration with such, signaling indefiniteness and emphasis on the surrounding context. In practice, explorationsuch is not a fixed method but a mindset adopted across disciplines to support iterative discovery.

Characteristics and practices: Core features include iterative cycles of inquiry, reflexive evaluation of assumptions, and collaboration across disciplines. Methods often combine field observation, scenario planning, speculative design, prototyping, and qualitative data gathering, with a tolerance for ambiguous or surprising findings.

Applications: It has been discussed in design studies, futures research, science and technology studies, and education as a way to handle ill-defined problems where clear hypotheses are unavailable at the outset.

Criticism and reception: Proponents argue that explorationsuch fosters creativity and resilience in the face of complexity, while critics contend that its open-ended nature can hinder reproducibility, measurability, and clear accountability without adequate scaffolding.

See also: Exploratory data analysis, speculative design, action research, design thinking, bricolage.