Applied Research: Methods, Types, and Practical Applications
In the pursuit of knowledge, researchers often distinguish between the desire to understand the universe and the need to solve a specific problem. Applied research is the systematic use of empirical methods—techniques based on observed and measured phenomena—to collect data for practical purposes. Rather than seeking to build new theories from scratch, it leverages accumulated knowledge, existing methods, and established theories to serve a specific state, business, or client-driven objective.
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Applied Research vs. Basic Research
To fully grasp the nature of applied research, it is helpful to contrast it with basic research (also known as pure research). While basic research strives to create new theories and methods to explain the processes shaping our environment—such as how physical or human spatial structures are formed in geography—applied research uses those existing theories to address particular empirical issues.
Furthermore, applied research differs from engineering. While both are practical, applied research focuses on the investigation and discovery of solutions, whereas engineering involves the analysis and optimization of costs, economics, and business processes.
Key Facts
- Purpose: Designed to solve practical, real-world problems with specific commercial or organizational objectives.
- Methodology: Primarily employs empirical methods, though strict protocols may be relaxed due to real-world constraints.
- Framework: Often uses provisional conceptual frameworks, such as pillar questions or working hypotheses.
- Classification: Recognized by the OECD's Frascati Manual as one of three research forms, alongside basic research and experimental development.
- Scope: Focuses on products, procedures, and services, but excludes industrial scaling and cost optimization (which fall under engineering).
Types of Applied Research
Applied research manifests in several forms depending on the goal of the client or the nature of the problem being solved:
Action Research
This approach is specifically designed to help firms identify and implement workable solutions to immediate issues influencing their operations.
Evaluation Research
In evaluation research, researchers analyze available data to provide clients with the insights necessary to make informed, wise judgments.
Gauging Research
A specialized subset of evaluation research, gauging research uses a logic of rating to assess a program or process. This is a normative assessment—one that compares results against a standard or practical ideal—and is frequently used in hiring decisions, accreditation, and process evaluation. It is closely associated with deductive qualitative research.
Industrial Research
Industrial research focuses on the creation of new goods or services to satisfy the demands of a target market. It is important to distinguish this from industrial development; while research creates the product, development involves scaling production for mass consumption and maximizing resource efficiency, which is categorized as engineering.
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Methodological Considerations
Because applied research operates in the "messy" real world, it often faces constraints that pure laboratory research does not. For instance, it may be impossible to secure a truly random sample of participants. Consequently, researchers may need to relax strict protocols. When this happens, transparency in methodology becomes crucial, as the researcher must explain how these deviations might influence the interpretation of the results.
| Category | Primary Goal | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Research | Theory creation | Explains general processes |
| Applied Research | Practical problem solving | Uses existing theories for specific goals |
| Industrial Development | Scaling and optimization | Focuses on cost, output, and efficiency |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does applied research differ from basic research?
Basic research aims to expand general knowledge and create new theories, while applied research uses existing theories and empirical methods to solve specific, practical problems for clients or businesses.
Is industrial development considered a form of applied research?
No. Industrial research creates the new product or service, but industrial development—which involves scaling production and optimizing the ratio of output to resource input—is considered engineering.
What is gauging research?
Gauging research is a type of evaluation research that uses normative assessment (rating against a standard) to evaluate processes, often used in accreditation and hiring.
Why are strict research protocols sometimes relaxed in applied research?
Because applied research takes place in real-world environments, certain ideals (like random sampling) may be impossible to achieve. In these cases, transparency about the methodology is required to ensure results are interpreted correctly.
Where can I find information on applied research?
Due to its practical nature, information on applied research is typically found within the literature of the specific individual disciplines to which the research is applied.