When is applied research useful

Some scientists feel that the time has come for a shift in emphasis away from purely basic research toward applied research for the sake of the human population. In recent years, applied research, under the banner of operations research, has extensive applications in health and family planning programs to identifying problems and designing and evaluating policies and programs that will deliver the most significant benefit at an affordable cost. In social sciences, research is often a mixture of both basic and applied ; some stages of a study may have a basic flavor, while other stages may be more applied.

From the clinical observations in Bangladesh and elsewhere, it is observed that the early cesarean section may nullify the violent effect of this grave disease. To date, no such study has been undertaken in our country. It is proposed that a comparative study between Caesarean section and Vaginal delivery in Eclamsia be undertaken. The study will help to reduce the maternal and prenatal mortality considerably and thus improve our health status.

It has been observed that in Bangladesh, the proportion of women who are delivered through Caesarean section is very high. It is suspected that a small height is one of the risk factors for difficult deliveries. A study may, therefore, be conducted to verify if this proposition is true.

Ethnic minority businesses are in existence in many parts of the world. Their effort to enter into business is often explained as an essential alternative means of earning and maintaining their livelihood. Afro-Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi settlers in Britain comprise a majority of the ethnic business communities. These ethnic business entrepreneurs are facing various problems that inhibit their business development and activities.

Hakim undertook a study to identify the awareness and uses of different kinds of services by the Bangladeshi ethnic entrepreneurs covering available advisory services and sources of assistance in Britain. Based on his study findings, the author concluded that Bangladeshi ethnic entrepreneurs were not sufficiently aware of the advisory services and assistance provided by different organizations. Those who were aware they did not fully utilize these services.

Information found through basic research can help develop theories, whereas information found through applied research can help solve particular problems.

Since applied research helps solve a problem, it's seen as being a more practical research method. However, basic research can help researchers develop theories and predictions. While basic research helps society learn more about a particular field of study, applied research tends to have more of a commercial gain. This is because applied research has the potential to lead to a monetary gain and can help create new products.

Often, governments and industries favor applied research over basic research. Basic research tends to be more popular for fields such as sociology, biology, astronomy philosophy and theology since it helps explain why certain instances occur. Basic research tends to be a more universal research method since it applies to a variety of concepts.

However, since applied research focuses on solving one particular problem, it tends to have a more specific utility. Applied research finds information for a select subject.

Both basic research and applied research can be helpful tools for obtaining the information you don't know, but they each work best in different settings. Basic research can help you when you're looking for answers to universal, theoretical questions. Typically, you conduct this kind of research when you're hoping to expand existing knowledge and create predictions. Applied research tends to be more beneficial when you're trying to come up with a solution.

Here, you can use your finding to develop new technologies and improve existing systems. This research works best if you have a specific question you are looking to answer. When choosing what type of research to use, consider whether you are looking to expand existing knowledge or hoping to find completely new knowledge to solve a problem.

Related: What Is User Research? Many industries search for data through the use of either basic research, applied research or both. The type of research they use depends on what the final discovery they want to find is.

Here are some careers that use these two research methods:. Researcher: A researcher may use basic research to analyze trends and, depending on the industry they work in, they may work to find a solution to a problem through the use of applied research. Psychologists: Basic research helps psychologists understand different types of mental health conditions, while applied research can help them find possible solutions to help their patients cope with these conditions.

Market research analysts: Market research analysts use basic research to help predict sales trends and uses applied research to come up with new ways to collect data from customers to use for market strategies.

Research assistant: Like researchers, a research assistant may use basic research when looking to expand knowledge in an area of study and applied research when looking to find a resolution to a problem.

Sociologists: A sociologist often uses basic research when trying to learn more about a particular group of people, such as middle schoolers, in their settings and may also use applied research to find solutions to problems a group faces. Find jobs. Company reviews. Find salaries. Upload your resume. Google chrome extensions are necessary kits in the toolbox of academic researchers.

This is because they help make the research processes Sometimes, research may be aimed at expanding a field of knowledge or improving the understanding of a natural phenomenon. This type of Pricing Templates Features Login Sign up. What is Applied Research? Home Research What is Applied Research? Types of Applied Research There are 3 types of applied research.

Evaluation Research Evaluation research is a type of applied research that analyses existing information about a research subject to arrive at objective research outcomes or reach informed decisions. Research and Development Research and development is a type of applied research that is focused on developing new products and services based on the needs of target markets.

Action Research Action research is a type of applied research that is set on providing practical solutions to specific business problems by pointing the business in the right directions. Examples of Applied Research Applied research is relevant in different fields of study; especially science and social science-related fields. Applied Research Example in Business Applied research is used in business to build knowledge and develop product solutions.

Applied research to improve workplace efficiency and organizational policies. Applied research to bridge skill gaps in the workplace. Applied Research Examples in Education In education, applied research is used to test pedagogic processes in order to discover the best teaching and learning methods.

Characteristics of Applied Research in Education It clearly highlights generalizations and hypotheses that inform the research findings. It relies on empirical evidence. It is set at providing solutions to a defined problem. It requires accurate observation and description. Examples A study into the way to improve teacher-learner classroom engagements.

A study into the way to improve a school's readiness for its students. A study to build students' interests in Mathematics. Applied Research Example in Science In itself, applied research is a scientific method of investigation because it applies existing scientific knowledge to practical situations. Examples of applied research in science include the following: Examples Applied research to improve agricultural crop production Applied research to treat or cure a specific disease.

Applied Research Examples in Psychology There are different reasons psychologists would make use of applied research in the course of their work. Examples of applied research in psychology include: Applied research to improve workplace commitment by arriving at practical worker-motivation strategies.

Investigating treatment and management options for anxiety and panic attacks. Investigating factors that improve worker's productivity. Applied Research Example in Health In health and medical sciences, applied research serves as the background to evidence-based and solution-oriented medicine.

Examples of applied research in health include: An investigation to identify the healing properties of a specific herb. An investigation to identify the side effects of using a particular drug.

The following are data collection methods in applied research: Interviews An interview is a qualitative method of data collection that involves having a one-on-one interaction or discussion with the research subjects in order to gather relevant information that can serve as empirical data. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create and administer questionnaires for applied research using Formplus Sign in to Formplus Conduct Surveys with Formplus In the Formplus builder, you can easily create different questionnaires for applied research by dragging and dropping preferred fields into your form.

Edit Form Click on the edit button to edit the form. Edit fields iii. Click on "Save" iv. Preview form. Form Customization With the form customization options in the form builder, you can easily improve on the appearance of your questionnaire and make it more unique and personalized.

Multiple Sharing Options Formplus also provides multiple form sharing options which enables you to easily share your questionnaire with respondents. Data Reporting The process of gathering useful information about a research subject which can be used for further research. Observation A type of data gathering method in applied research that requires the researcher to pay close attention to a subject s in order to gather useful information about it.

Focus Groups A focus group is a type of qualitative data collection process that allows the researcher to gather information about the disposition, feelings and opinions of the research subjects about a specific issue. However, there are key differences between these 2 research approaches and these would be clearly outlined below: Definition Applied research is a type of research that is aimed at the practical application of science in order to solve practical problems.

Approach Basic research is theoretical in nature while applied research is practical and descriptive in nature. Scope Basic research is universal while applied research is limited.

Focus Applied research is focused on providing answers or solutions to a specific research question while basic research focuses on multiple concepts at the same time in its quest to expand knowledge. Applied research pays attention to external validity while basic research is more focused on internal validity. Characteristics of Applied Research Applied research is solution-specific and it addresses practical problems.

Unlike basic research that is aimed at theorizing and expanding knowledge, applied research focuses on addressing a particular problem using a range of science-based approaches. Applied research is descriptive in nature as it arrives at solutions by experimenting on empirical evidence and describing research outcomes.

Usually, applied research tests theories arrived at by pure research in order to determine the usefulness of these theories in solving practical problems. It describes the relationship between research variables by measuring the characteristics of dependent and independent variables. Applied research relies on empirical evidence in order to arrive at valid research outcomes. It is not theoretical and it is not directly concerned with the expansion of knowledge.

Applied research is synthetic in nature. It is aimed at the cost-effective reduction of social problems. Applied research is action-oriented. Advantages of Applied Research Validity: Applied research is unbiased in nature because it tests empirical evidence in order to arrive at valid research outcomes.