applied research

(noun)

Applied research is a form of systematic inquiry involving the practical application of science. It accesses and uses some part of the research communities' (the academy's) accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques for a specific, often state-, business-, or client- driven purpose.

Related Terms

Examples of applied research in the following topics:

  • Conducting Research

    • How you conduct research depends upon the topic you are researching.
    • Basic research is meant to increase your general knowledge about a subject.
    • The three methodologies most commonly used are applied, quantitative, and qualitative research.
    • Applied research is used to solve practical problems.
    • Rather than exploring a wide body of knowledge, applied research looks for information that will indicate how feasible a solution might be.

  • Applied and Clinical Sociology

    • Applied or clinical sociology uses sociological insights or methods to guide practice, research, or social reform.
    • Thus, applied sociologists took findings from pure research and applied them to solving real-world problems.
    • Researchers often differentiate between "pure" and "applied" research.
    • Of course, the line between pure and applied research is often blurred.
    • For example, "pure" researchers in a university might get government funding to do their research projects, which somewhat complicates their commitment to do pure research.

  • Basic and Applied Science

    • Basic science increases the knowledge base of a field of research while applied science uses that knowledge to solve specific problems.
    • In applied science, the problem is usually defined for the researcher.
    • Another example of the link between basic and applied research is the Human Genome Project, a study in which each human chromosome was analyzed and mapped to determine the precise sequence of DNA subunits and the exact location of each gene.
    • An important end goal eventually became using the data for applied research to seek cures and early diagnoses for genetically-related diseases.
    • While research efforts in both basic science and applied science are usually carefully planned, it is important to note that some discoveries are made by serendipity; that is, by means of a fortunate accident or a lucky surprise.

  • Research Funding

    • Research funding comes from grants from private groups or governments, and researchers must be careful to avoid conflicts of interest.
    • Many researchers fund their work by applying for grants from private groups or governments, but they must be careful to avoid a conflict of interest .
    • Research funding is often applied for by scientists and approved by a granting agency to financially support research.
    • The granter wants to choose the research that best fits their scientific principles, and the grantee wants to apply for research in which he has the best chances but also in which he can build a body of work toward future scientific endeavors.
    • Many researchers fund their work by applying for grants from private groups or governments, but they must be careful to avoid conflicts of interest.

  • Researching Consumer Markets

    • Consumer marketing research is a form of applied sociology that concentrates on understanding the preferences, attitudes, and behaviors of consumers in a market-based economy, and it aims to understand the effects and comparative success of marketing campaigns.
    • Consumer marketing research is a form of applied sociology that concentrates on understanding the preferences, attitudes, and behaviors of consumers in a market-based economy, and it aims to understand the effects and comparative success of marketing campaigns.
    • Advertising research is a specialized form of marketing research conducted to improve the efficacy of advertising.
    • Primary research is conducted from scratch.
    • Secondary research costs far less than primary research, but seldom comes in a form that exactly meets the needs of the researcher.

  • Developing Insights and an Action Plan

    • A successful presentation provides conclusions (based on the insights gathered) that effectively meet the objectives of the research.
    • During the Report Preparation & Presentation step, the entire project should be documented in a written report that addresses the specific research questions identified; describes the approach, the research design, data collection, and data analysis procedures adopted; and presents the results and the major findings.
    • This permanent document is also helpful because it can be easily referenced by others who may not have been part of the research.
    • Final conclusions (based on the insights gathered from data collected) that effectively meet the initial objectives of the research
    • Identify the characteristics of preparing ,presenting and documenting the results of marketing research

  • Confidentiality

    • These rules apply to field research as well.
    • Any research notes that might identify subjects should be stored securely.
    • By ensuring the safety of sensitive information, researchers ensure the safety of their subjects.
    • Following ethical guidelines, researchers keep individual details confidential for decades.
    • Give examples of how the anonymity of a research subject can be protected

  • Leadership Traits

    • Traits of effective leaders are conditionally dependent and have been debated for years, but researchers have identified some commonalities.
    • Researchers have debated the traits of a leader for many decades.
    • Researchers have since distanced themselves from this idea and theorized that the success of a leader requires more than just a few essential traits.
    • Researchers now attest that while trait theory may still apply, individuals can and do emerge as leaders across a variety of situations and tasks.
    • Although these characteristics may resemble a laundry list of traits, Zaccaro and many other researchers have shown that they are all predictors of a successful leader.

  • Accounting for R&D Activity

    • In general, research and development (R&D) activities are conducted by specialized units or centers belonging to a company, or can be outsourced to contract research organizations, universities, or state agencies .
    • In the context of commerce, research and development normally refers to future-oriented, long-term activities in science or technology, using similar techniques to scientific research but directed toward desired outcomes and with broad forecasts of commercial yield.
    • Research and development costs thus no longer appear as intangible assets on the balance sheet.
    • The Board applies the same line of reasoning to other costs associated with internally generated intangible assets, such as the internal costs of developing a patent.
    • Cycle of Research and Development, from "Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE), Program Solicitation NSF 09-601"

  • Organizing Your Research Plan

    • To save time and effort, decide on a research plan before you begin.
    • To save time and effort, decide on a research plan before you begin.
    • It is simply not possible to include every topic in your research.
    • After narrowing your focus, think about key search terms that will apply only to your subtopic.
    • And finally, have fun doing the research!