Basic or fundamental research provides a broad overview of many different scientific fields. The objective of this type of investigation is to seek answers to fundamental questions.
Unlike applied research, this knowledge does not have to be used for something concrete. The important thing is to broaden the understanding of the human being and the phenomena of the world.
In itself, this is carried out like any other scientific investigation. Scientists first have a hypothesis and test it by designing experiments and making observations. Then they develop offer explanations using their theories.
Clear examples of basic research include studies of brain activity after death. This is the case of research from the University of Southampton that confirmed that thoughts continue after the heart stops.
It showed that people still experience consciousness for up to three minutes after being pronounced dead..
Examples of basic research include those on the effects of consuming certain foods. One of the products that has been widely studied is coffee.
A recent study conducted in Spain found that drinking two to four cups a day is associated with a lower overall risk of death, particularly among middle-aged people.
The brain is an organ that causes a lot of interest from scientists. Fundamental research has led to a better understanding of how it works.
For example, a recent study shows that the extent to which brain signals adhere to white matter networks is associated with cognitive flexibility. This suggests that some brains have a natural advantage in dealing with changes..
Couple relationships have also been the subject of basic research study. Thus, in the 1990s a large number of studies sought to understand the factors that affected these relationships. From these, many lines of research were opened, which continue to be explored.
The advancement of new technologies has been fertile ground for basic research, especially regarding their impact.
To illustrate this, mention can be made of a study that focused on the differences between print reading and digital media. This shows that students learn more effectively from printed textbooks than from screens..
Human behavior has been the subject of analysis since basic research. A study on physical exercise can exemplify this kind of work.
In particular, research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology revealed that exercise habits can be contagious..
Stress is part of modern life. Many theorists have taken on the task of studying this phenomenon. An Ohio State University study, for example, linked stress and healthy diets. Among the results, it stands out that the first eliminates the benefits of the second.
Social networks are a tool that have revolutionized human behavior when it comes to interacting. Its impact has been more than notorious, being also very quantifiable for investigations.
For example, according to a study by the University of Queensland, those people who interact and participate in conversations through social networks feel part of a group, which generates a sense of community.
Basic research also has space for natural studies such as astronomy. The influence of elements of the Universe such as the moon are very important to find out certain phenomena that occur on Earth.
In addition, although most of these studies have been questioned, there are many investigations carried out by universities around the world that ensure that certain lunar phases affect human behavior (sleep stages, increased crimes, disturbance of production melatonin ...).
Examples of applied research.
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