Applied research

Applied research is about dealing with practical problems faced in our world today. For example, if someone were to do research on a way to end cancer then this would be applied research. If they are attempting to find the answer to something that would help solve a practical problem. With applied research, researchers are looking for answers that will be easily applied to current, modern concepts and problems. Most people need to find ways to make their research, “applied” because this is the way that they get grants. People do not want to fund a research project that does not have much application, if any, to the real world.

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 academia's) accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, for a specific, often state-, business-, or client-driven purpose. Applied research is compared to pure research (basic research) in discussion about research ideals, methodologies, programs, and projects.

Applied research deals with solving practical problems and generally employs empirical methodologies. Because applied research resides in the messy real world, strict research protocols may need to be relaxed. For example, it may be impossible to use a random sample. Thus, transparency in the methodology is crucial. Implications for interpretation of results brought about by relaxing an otherwise strict canon of methodology should also be considered.

The OECD's Frascati Manual describes Applied Research as one of the three forms of research, along with Basic research & Experimental Development.

Due to its practical focus, applied research information will be found in the literature associated with individual disciplines.

Definition:

Applied research refers to scientific study and research that seeks to solve practical problems. Applied research is used to find solutions to everyday problems, cure illness, and develop innovative technologies. Psychologists working in human factors or industrial/organizational fields often do this type of research.

What is Applied research?

Applied research can be defined as the methodic search for solutions to practical problems of the modern world. The main motivation in applied research is to apply the knowledge and solve practical problems for companies and all kinds of institutions.

Knowledge transfer in a professional environment is one of the most important goals of a university of applied sciences. Universities of Applied Sciences interconnect education, practice and practice-oriented research. They maintain close contact with their relevant professional fields by integrating projects into their study programmes, thereby giving added value.
Education has become more and more connected with professional practice in the last few decades. This may explain the shift in emphasis  from purely basic research toward applied research.

Unlike basic research, applied research aims aims to address and answer real-world problems. Importantly, applied research is, like basic research, based on previous theory. Examples of applied research topics include persuasion, eyewitness memory, clinical treatments of psychological disorders, behavioral interventions for children with autism, decision making, etc.

The basic definition for applied research is any fact gathering project that is conducted with an eye to acquiring and applying knowledge that will address a specific problem or meet a specific need within the scope of an entity. Just about any business entity or community organization can benefit from engaging in this type of research.

When most people think of applied research, there is a tendency to link the term to the function of research and development (R and D) efforts. For business entities, R and D usually is involved with developing products that will appeal to a particular market sector and generate revenue for the company. The research portion of the R and D effort will focus on uncovering what needs are not being met within a targeted market and use that information to begin formulating products or services that will be attractive and desirable. This simplistic though systematized approach may also be applied to existing products as well, leading to the development of new and improved versions of currently popular offerings. Thus, applied research can open up new opportunities within an existing client base, as well as allow the cultivation of an entirely new sector of consumers.

Non-profit organizations also can utilize the principles of applied research. Most of these types of organizations have a specific goal in mind. This may be to attract more people to the organization, or to raise public awareness on a given issue, such as a disease. In this scenario, the research involves finding out what attracts people to a cause, and then developing strategies that will allow the non-profit entity to increase the public profile of the organization, and entice people to listen to what they have to say and offer.

Applied research can be very simplistic within a given application or it can become quite complicated. While the principle of this type of research is easily grasped, not every organization contains persons who are competent in the process of actually doing applied research. Fortunately, there are a number of professionals who are able to step in and help any entity create a working model for this activity.

In some cases, this may be the most productive approach, since an outsider often notices information that may be easily overlooked by those who are part of the organization. Whether implemented as an internal effort or outsourced to professionals who routinely engage in applied research, the result is often a higher public profile for the organization, and improved opportunities for meeting the goals of the entity.

Applied       Research:  

Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather

than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. One might say that the goal of the

applied scientist is to improve the human condition.

For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to:

• improve agricultural crop production

• treat or cure a specific disease

• improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation

Some scientists feel that the time has come for a shift in emphasis away from purely

basic research and toward applied science. This trend, they feel, is necessitated by the

problems resulting from global overpopulation, pollution, and the overuse of the

earth's natural resources.