Applied Research
In applied research, the objective is to solve a specific problem or provide innovative solutions to issues affecting an individual, group or society.
Since it involves the practical application of scientific methods to everyday problems, it is sometimes called a scientific method of inquiry or contractual research.
An applied researcher takes time to identify a problem, develop a research hypothesis, and then execute experiments to test these hypotheses. In many cases, this approach employs empirical methods in order to solve practical problems.
Applied research refers to a non-systematic approach that provides solutions to specific problems or issues. These issues can range from a personal one to a group or societal one.
Due to its direct approach to finding solutions, it is called a non-systematic approach. An applied research process is often seen as a scientific process because the tools of science are applied practically to reach a conclusion.
A researcher conducting applied research identifies a problem, formulates a hypothesis, and conducts experiments to test it. The research further examines the findings of a pure or basic research.
Types of Applied Research
There are three types of applied research. They are:
Evaluation Research
↦ Applied evaluation research involves creating objective outcomes for a research project or making informed decisions based on existing information about the research subject.
↦ Research of this kind is usually carried out in business contexts, for instance, an organisation might use evaluation research to determine how to reduce overhead costs.
Research and Development
↦ An applied research method that develops new products and services based on the needs of a market is known as research and development.
↦ Research involves gathering information about marketing needs and improving an existing product or creating new products that satisfy those needs.
Action Research
↦ It is a type of applied research that provides practical solutions to specific problems faced by businesses, by pointing them in the right direction. It is a process of reflection that is usually restricted to specific contexts and is situational in nature.
Methods of Applied Research
The methods of applied research are:
Surveys:
↦ In this method, respondents are asked questions relating to the research topic and are expected to record their responses which reflect their opinions.
↦ The questions can be either close-ended (providing quantitative data) or open-ended (providing qualitative data).
Observation:
↦ In this method, the researcher observes subjects in their environment to learn about their behavior and thoughts, though this is susceptible to his or her personal biases.
Focus Group:
↦ It involves gathering data about a certain issue from a group of individuals. The researcher asks open-ended questions of a sample of people who have faced the issue.
Interview:
↦ In this method, information is collected one-on-one from subjects. An interviewer asks questions that relate to the research topic to the subjects.
↦ Although it is time-consuming, it is the most accurate source of data for the research. It can be conducted online or by video call, audio recorder, etc.
Data Reporting:
↦ It’s a method of gathering information for a research topic that may become a source of data for future studies. It can be published in a newspaper, magazine, or report.
Benefits of Applied Research
The benefits of applied research are as follows:
| Benefits of Applied Research |
|---|
| Provides practical solutions to real-world problems |
| Can lead to the development of new products and technologies |
| Can improve existing products and processes |
| Can increase efficiency and reduce costs in various industries |
| Can improve the quality of life for individuals and communities |
| Can lead to new job opportunities and economic growth |
| Can increase understanding and knowledge in specific fields |
| Can inform policy and decision-making |
- Research is unbiased since it tests the evidence to get good outcomes, and it is well-planned and designed, all of which make the research a much valid approach.
- An application of applied research helps organizations or individuals find solutions to specific problems efficiently and accurately.
Limitations of Applied Research
| Limitation | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Limited generalizability | It is difficult to generalize findings from applied research to other populations or settings because it is often focused on specific circumstances or groups. |
| Limited control over variables | Causality is difficult to establish in applied research because variables are often not completely under the researcher’s control. |
| Practical limitations | There is often a limit to the scope and depth of applied research due to practical considerations, including budget and time. |
| Bias from external factors | A significant amount of applied research is conducted in real-world settings, where external factors like funding and politics can impact results. |
| Ethical considerations | There may be ethical considerations when dealing with sensitive topics or vulnerable populations in applied research. |
Examples of Applied Research
↦ In the business sector, applied research is totally dependent on the products and services that they make. Applied research helps these businesses to determine market needs and trends, then mold their products accordingly. ↦ Businesses benefit from applied research as they are able to identify the gaps in their findings and understand the preferences of the target market. ↦ Applied research can help businesses improve their hiring process. In similar way, applied research makes workplace efficient and policies.
↦ The goal of applied research in psychology is to determine workplace behaviors, human resources, and organizational development. ↦ Researchers use this technique when they experiment with the thinking process of individuals and then develop solutions that match their behavior. ↦ Applied research to determine new ways to handle depression. Applied research to regulate a motivated work strategy to get employees to attend regularly.
↦ In the medical field, applied research is mostly used as a method to test new medicines based on evidence and solutions. To achieve verifiable and evidential results, it combines scientific knowledge with health experiences. ↦ Researchers are examining the healing properties of specific medicines, investigating the side effects of specific drugs, researching a new way of performing heart surgery. |
Applied Research Quiz/ MCQs
Which of the following is an example of applied research?
- a. Determining the components of the human genome.
- b. Studying characteristics of gorillas when raising their young.
- c. Finding replacement chemicals for the air-polluting CFCs used in machines and appliances.
- d. Working with carbon to determine its bonding characteristics.
Which of the following would be considered applied research?
A) A college professor is investigating the effect of direct sunlight on deep-sea fish.
B) Scientists at a company are developing a drug for specific human disease.
C) High school students are observing the behavior of honey bees.
D) A team of biologists are searching for life on other planets.
Which psychologists are most likely to be involved in applied research?
a) personality psychologists
b) developmental psychologists
c) industrial-organizational psychologists
d) biological psychologists
True or False: All four anthropological subdisciplines engage in applied research.
a) True
b) False
An experimental condition applied to research subjects is called a:
a) a group of subjects who are exposed to a particular treatment.
b) an observed and measured component determined at the beginning of an experiment.
c) a group of subjects who are not exposed to a particular treatment.
d) a measurable entity whose response is created by the process being observed.
What is the primary goal of applied research?
A) To develop new theoretical knowledge
B) To solve specific practical problems
C) To test existing theories
D) To replicate previous research
Answer: B) To solve specific practical problems
What type of research design is typically used in applied research?
A) Experimental
B) Descriptive
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Both A and B
How do applied researchers usually collect data?
A) Through observation and interviews
B) Through surveys and experiments
C) Through literature review and case studies
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of applied research?
A) It is conducted to solve a specific problem
B) It is conducted to test a theory
C) It is conducted with the goal of generalizing findings to a larger population
D) It is conducted with the goal of making profits
Answer: D) It is conducted with the goal of making profits
In applied research, what is the role of a control group?
A) To serve as a comparison group for the experimental group
B) To test the effectiveness of a treatment or intervention
C) To provide a baseline measurement for the research
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
What type of sampling technique is commonly used in applied research?
A) Random sampling
B) Convenience sampling
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Random sampling
How do applied researchers usually analyze their data?
A) Through statistical methods and data visualization techniques
B) Through qualitative methods such as content analysis
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Both A and B
What type of research is considered to be applied research?
A) Basic research
B) Action research
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above
Answer: B) Action research
What is the ultimate goal of applied research?
A) To develop new theoretical knowledge
B) To improve practice and inform policy decisions
C) To replicate previous research
D) None of the above
Answer: B) To improve practice and inform policy decisions
What is the main difference between basic research and applied research?
A) Basic research is conducted to develop new theoretical knowledge, while applied research is conducted to solve specific practical problems
B) Basic research is conducted to improve practice and inform policy decisions, while applied research is conducted to develop new theoretical knowledge
C) Basic research is conducted with the goal of generalizing findings to a larger population, while applied research is conducted with the goal of making profits
D) None of the above
Answer: A) Basic research is conducted to develop new theoretical knowledge, while applied research is conducted to solve specific practical problems
References
- Definition, types and Examples of Applied research. (2021, November 1). Voxco. https://www.voxco.com/blog/applied-research/#:~:text=Applied%20research%20refers%20to%20a,approach%20to%20finding%20the%20solutions.
- Liza, U. (2023, August 28). Applied Research: Definition, Types & Examples. QuestionPro. https://www.questionpro.com/blog/applied-research/
MBA,BBA.
I am Smirti Bam, an enthusiastic edu blogger with a passion for sharing insights into the dynamic world of business and management through this website.
I hold a MBA degree from Presidential Business School, Kathmandu, and a BBA degree with a specialization in Finance from Apex College,
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