Pure and applied research characteristics, differences, examples

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Anthony Golden
Pure and applied research characteristics, differences, examples

The Inpure and applied research They are two types of scientific research based on their purpose or purpose. We know that research is a scientific method by which information is obtained, with which knowledge is increased, corrected, verified or applied.

We speak of pure or basic research when the purpose is to modify existing theories or formulate new ones, and also when we want to increase knowledge. Stimulate curiosity. This type of research uses existing knowledge to produce a new one, and is the basis for further research..

We speak of applied research when we want to solve specific, specific problems. Its objective is to find a solution to a problem in society or an organization. That is, it is designed to solve problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge just for knowledge..

Article index

  • 1 What is pure research?
    • 1.1 Characteristics of pure research
    • 1.2 Examples of pure research
  • 2 What is applied research?
    • 2.1 Characteristics of applied research
    • 2.2 Examples of applied research
  • 3 References

What is pure research?

The goal of pure research is to obtain information

The purpose of pure research is to collect information, develop it, modify it or augment it, without practical application in real life. It is known by various names: pure, basic, fundamental, theoretical, dogmatic.

Thus, pure research is exploratory and, as already said, without practical purposes..

Characteristics of pure research

  • Theorize

Pure research is oriented towards theorization, reflects on knowledge about a specific topic and is more interested in establishing theoretical foundations, so that other and future researchers can apply them.

  • Respect for a theoretical framework

The theoretical framework you use will be your starting point, and will remain there.

  • No app

One of its main characteristics is that it does not contrast the knowledge generated with practical aspects, although it does collect data through the sampling procedure.

  • Generalizes

The purpose of pure research is to collect information

The interest of the pure investigation is directed to the presentation of generalizations, in the sense of offering wide levels of abstractions and hypothetical formulations. Develops theories based on laws or principles.

  • Systematic process

Follows a formal and systematic process in which you use the scientific method to arrive at new theories.

Examples of pure research

  • Example 1: engineering, architecture, history, society

An example of pure research could be the study of the constructive elements in the buildings of the desert areas of the planet, specifically in the Atacama desert, in Chile..

Here information would be collected on what construction elements have been used in those areas, from the oldest to the present, whether wood, stone, sand, etc. Although it follows a strict order, the purpose is not intended to be other than a compendium of data, without practical application.

  • Example 2: literature

Another example would be to know the women's literature of a country in a certain historical period: the literature written by women in 18th century England..

As in the previous case, the study will be specifically oriented to locate the literary works that were written in England by women during the 1700's. Perhaps with the intention of highlighting the little female access to artistic recognition (and that could end as a new knowledge of the historical period studied).

What is applied research?

Applied research solves problems

It is the research that is done to solve problems. Applied research is based on pure research, of course, applying it to reality. From this it follows that applied research will always be empirical, because it takes place in the real world and aims to obtain practical results..

Characteristics of applied research

  • Punctual and immediate

Applied research seeks to solve problems and answer specific questions. Not interested in theorizing, as in pure or theoretical research.

  • Scientific advances

It produces advances, because it applies theory to practice, but it also feeds on them by studying them to achieve improvements.

  • Specific phases of investigation

Applied research seeks to apply the acquired knowledge to real life

In applied research there are phases that must be respected: planning, execution and publication of results.

In planning, the problem to be solved, the background and the methodology used to carry out the investigation are raised. Execution, as its name indicates, is the application of the methodology to solve the problem posed.

Information is also collected and the entire process is described, whether or not there were problems in the execution of the plan and the events that occurred during the development of the investigation. Regarding the publication of the results, it is an indispensable process where the implementation of the research is legitimized..

The publication is usually presented as accredited scientific articles in peer-reviewed and specialized journals, in postgraduate theses or in invention patents..

  • Its purpose is to innovate

Or solve a certain problem. The purpose of applied research is to act in the face of a problem, with the consequent resolution, modification or improvement of the previously established situation.

  • Weather

For the research to be valid, it must be applied to reality, which often requires time, since it will be necessary to contrast results and wait for the development of the solution provided..

Examples of applied research

  • Example 1: medicine

When a medical researcher decides to apply certain drugs to cure a disease. Suppose you want to cure Covid19. The researcher must go to all previous theoretical research on Covid19, and from there, apply the drugs to individuals (human or not).

The research will require collecting the data exhaustively, noting the symptoms after the application of each substance studied, to keep a record as strict as possible of the physiological, physical and biological reactions of the subjects on whom the drugs are applied..

Applied research will indicate, in this way, which drug is effective to cure Covid19.

  • Example 2: engineering

Problem: to achieve the generation of clean electricity in rural towns close to water courses by installing hydro-turbines without fossil fuel.

Based on previous research on the generation of electrical energy through water and movement (kinetics), the researcher will apply his theoretical knowledge to the elaboration of turbines placed in streams, rivers, etc., without the need to build dams or feed the turbine with gasoline.

It solves two problems at the same time: the endowment of water and the generation of electrical energy. The investigation should indicate the behavior of the hydroturbine in all seasons of the year, with rain or without rain, in rivers with little or greater flow, etc..

Likewise, you will have to establish the scope of the hydroturbine: how many houses and people it is benefiting and how long it can operate, as well as indicate the maintenance processes.

References

  1. Ochoa Luna, R. (1989). Pure research and applied research. Lima: Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Taken from repository.pucp.edu.pe.
  2. Hoffmann, T. (2017). What is basic research? Taken from sciencenordic.com.
  3. 15 types of research and their characteristics (2018). Cervantine Studies Center. Taken from centroestudioscervantinos.es.
  4. Pure or theoretical research (2018). Taken from tipodeinvestigacion.org.
  5. Applied research, characteristics and examples (2018). Taken from tipodeinvestigacion.org.
  6. Flores, G. (2020). Pure and applied research. Taken from academia.edu.

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