Basic and Applied Research

The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures. Research always starts from a question like why, what, how, etc. The nature of questions varies with the research procedure and methods and procedure. Research may be classified crudely, according to its major intent or the method. According to the intent, research may be classified as pure research (basic research), applied research, exploratory research, descriptive study, action research, etc. According to the method of study, research may be classified as experimental research, analytical study, historical research, and survey.

The reason for asking research questions are of two general kinds; intellectual and practical.

  1. Intellectual questions are based on the desire to know or understand for the satisfaction of knowing or understanding.

  2. Practical questions are based on the desire to do something better or more efficiently.

The investigation to which these two types of questions lead is sometimes labeled pure or basic and applied research.

  1. PURE (BASIC) RESEARCH

Pure research is focused on collecting knowledge without any intention to apply it. It is purely intellectual in character. It is also known as basic or fundamental research. Intellectual curiosity is the only motivational factor behind it. It is not necessarily problem-oriented. It aims to extension of knowledge. It may lead to either discovery of a new theory or refinement of an existing theory. The development of various sciences owes much too pure research. The findings of pure research enrich the store house of knowledge. Pure research lays the foundation for applied research. The findings of pure research formed the basis for innumerable scientific and technological inventions like steam engine, automobiles and telecommunication, etc., which have revolutionalized and enriched our human life.

Contributions of Pure Research

  1. Pure research provides solutions to many practical problems by developing principles.

  2. Pure research helps to find out the critical factors in practical problems.

  3. Pure research provides many alternative solutions and thus enables us to choose best solutions.

  1. APPLIED RESEARCH

Applied research is focused upon a real-life problem requiring action for a policy decisions. It tries to find out practical and immediate results. It is thus problem-oriented and action directed.

According to Kerlinger, applied research is research directed towards solving specified practical problems. Julian Simon has pointed out that applied social sciences help in making policy decision. Applied research methods are sometimes more sophisticated than any methods used in pure research.

There is vast scope for applied research in the fields of technology, management, commerce, economics, and other social sciences. Innumerable problems are faced in these areas. They need empirical study for finding solutions. The immediate purpose of applied research is to find solutions to practical problems, it may incidentally contribute to the development of theoretical knowledge by leading to the discovery of new facts or testing of a theory or conceptual clarity.

Contributions of Applied Research

  1. Applied research can contribute new facts.

  2. Applied research can put theory to the test.

  3. Applied research may aid in dual concept clarification.

  4. Applied research may integrate previously existing theories.

Thus, the distinction between pure and applied research is not absolute. Both are not contradictory but are complementary. Pure research may have significant potential for its application to the solution of a practical problem, and applied research may end up making a scientific contribution to the development of theoretical knowledge.

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