Every research project begins with a clear definition of the investigation’s purpose, which helps to identify the research procedure or approach used. In this sense, a researcher can conduct either basic or applied research.
This research focuses on answering specific questions to solve a specific problem. It tries to identify a solution to a cultural or organizational problem and is often a follow-up research plan for basic or pure research.
In this blog, we will explain the types of applied research and give some examples. But before that, we will go through what it is.
What is applied research?
Applied research is a non-systematic way of finding solutions to specific research problems or issues. These problems or issues can be on an individual, group, or societal level. It is called “non-systematic” because it goes straight to finding solutions.
It is often called a “scientific process” because it uses the available scientific tools and puts them to use to find answers.
Like in regular research, the researcher identifies the problem, makes a hypothesis, and then experiments to test it. It goes deeper into the findings of true or basic research.
LEARN ABOUT: Research Process Steps
Types of applied research
This research has three types:
- Evaluation research,
- Research and Development, and
- Action research.
The short versions of each type are explained below:
- Evaluation research
Evaluation research is one type of applied research. It looks at the information on a research subject. This kind of research leads to objective research or helps people make better decisions sooner. Most of the time, evaluation research is used in business settings.
The organization uses this research to figure out how the overhead costs can be cut down or cut down a lot.
- Research and development
Research and Development is the second type of applied research. Its main goal is to create or design new products, goods, or services that meet the needs of certain markets in society. It finds out what the needs of the market are. It focuses on finding new ways to improve products that already meet an organization’s needs.
- Action research
Action research is the third type of applied research. Action research is a way to learn about things that happen in everyday life and nature. Its goal is to find real-world solutions to business problems by pointing the business in the right direction.
LEARN ABOUT: Action Research
Examples of applied research
Applied study is used in many areas of study and research, from the sciences to the social sciences. We also talk about how it’s used in those fields and give some examples:
- Applied study in business
Applied study in business sectors is fully dependent on their products and services. It helps organizations understand market needs and trends, and then shape their products to fit customers.
Businesses benefit from This research because it allows them to detect gaps in their findings and obtain primary information on target market preferences.
Example:
- It can improve hiring.
- It improves work and policy.
- It identifies workplace skill gaps.
- Applied study in education
The applied study is used in the education field to test different ways of teaching and to find better ways of teaching and learning. Before implementing new education policies, they are tested to see how well they work, how they affect teaching, and how the classroom works.
Applied education research uses quantitative and qualitative methods to collect data from first-hand sources. This information is then looked at and interpreted differently to generate valuable results or conclusions.
LEARN ABOUT: Qualitative Interview
Most applied research in this field is done to develop and test different ways of doing things by trying them out in different situations. It is based on accurate observations and descriptions of the real world.
Example:
- Applied study to understand the reach of online learning initiatives.
- Applied study to promote teacher-student classroom engagement.
- Applied study on the new math program.
- Applied study in science
As already said, applied study is often called a scientific process because it uses the available scientific tools to find answers. It can be used in physics, microbiology, thermodynamics, and other fields.
Example:
- The applied study is put into practice to cure a disease.
- The applied study is put into practice to improve agricultural practices.
- The applied study is applied to testing new laboratory equipment.
- Applied study in psychology
Researchers use this research in psychology to figure out how people act at work, how HR works, and how the organization is growing and changing so they can come up with solutions.
It is used a lot in areas where researchers try to figure out how people think and then come up with solutions that fit their behavior best.
Example:
- Applied study to figure out new ways to deal with depression.
- Applied study to improve students’ grades by emphasizing practical Education.
- Applied study to create a plan to keep employees coming to work regularly.
- Applied study in health
This research is used to examine new drugs in the medical industry. It combines scientific knowledge and procedures with health experiences to produce evidence-based results.
Example:
- Applied study in heart surgery.
- Applied study to determine a drug’s efficacy.
- Applied study on a medicine’s adverse effects.
LEARN ABOUT: Theoretical Research
Conclusion
Applied research is an important way to research because it helps organizations find real-world solutions to specific problems while also increasing their output and productivity. In contrast to basic research, which focuses on making theories that explain things, applied research focuses on describing evidence to find solutions.
In the applied study, the researcher uses qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data, such as questionnaires, interviews, and observation methods. Conducting interviews is one of the examples of qualitative data in education. It helps the researcher collect real-world evidence, which is then tested depending on the type of applied research and the main focus.
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