In the “Digital Era Framework”, the word “exploration” refers to a mode of information application. In this context, it is defined as follows: With regard to the handling of information, the term “exploration” covers all processes whose aim is to gain knowledge. Within the framework of the “Digital Era Framework”, “exploration” refers to a mode of information application in which all forms of dealing with given information for the purpose of gaining knowledge are summarized. These forms include in particular:

selection
organization
aggregation
description
analysis
explication