Exploratory (adjective)

1. Relating to or involving exploration.
2. Intended to find out new information or to test something.
3. Done in order to discover something or to gather information.

Origin:

Early 17th century: from latin explorat- "explored", from the verb explorare (see explore).

Examples:

1. An exploratory mission to the moon is being planned.
2. The company is conducting an exploratory survey to understand consumer behavior.
3. The exploratory drilling revealed that the site was rich in oil.
4. The exploratory study will help us to develop a new hypothesis.
5. The exploratory surgery was done to determine the cause of her illness.