Exploratory
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Serving to explore or investigate.
Preliminary
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: in preparation for the main matter; initial, introductory, preparatory
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A preparation for a main matter; an introductionAny of a series of sports events that determine the finalistsA relatively minor contest that precedes a major one, especially in boxing
Example sentence: Sexual self-restraint is only a preliminary stage in the ego's evolution.