Fundamental research, also known as basic research or pure research does not usually generate findings that have immediate applications in a practical level. Fundamental research is driven by curiosity and the desire to expand knowledge in specific research area. This type of research makes a specific contribution to the academic body of knowledge in the research area.
Fundamental studies tend to make generalizations about the phenomenon, and the philosophy of this type of studies can be explained as ‘gathering knowledge for the sake of knowledge’. Fundamental researches mainly aim to answer the questions of why, what or how and they tend to contribute the pool of fundamental knowledge in the research area.
Opposite to fundamental research is applied research that aims to solve specific problems, thus findings of applied research do have immediate practical implications.
Differences between Fundamental and Applied Research
Differences between applied and fundamental research have been specified in a way that fundamental research studies individual cases without generalizing, and recognizes that other variables are in constant change.
Applied research, on the contrary, seeks generalizations and assumes that other variables do not change. The table below summarizes the differences between the two types of research in terms of purpose and context:
Fundamental researchApplied research
Purpose
Expand knowledge of processes of business and managementResults in universal principles relating to the process and its relationship to outcomes
Findings of significance and value to society in general
Results in solution to problem
New knowledge limited to problem
Findings of practical relevance and value to manager[s] in organization[s]
Context
Undertaken by people based in universitiesChoice of topic and objectives determined by the researcher
Flexible time scales
Undertaken by people based in a variety of settings including organizations and universitiesObjectives negotiated with originator
Tight time scales
Differences between fundamental and applied research
It is important to note that although fundamental studies do not pursue immediate commercial objectives, nevertheless, findings of fundamental studies may result in innovations, as well as, generating solutions to practical problems. For example, a study entitled “A critical assessment of the role of organizational culture in facilitating management-employee communications” is a fundamental study, but findings of this study may be used to increase the levels of effectiveness of management-employee communications, thus resulting in practical implications.
Examples of Fundamental Research
The following are examples for fundamental researches in business:
- A critical analysis of product placement as an effective marketing strategy
- An investigation into the main elements of brands and branding
- A study of factors impacting each stage of product life cycle
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fundamental Research
Advantages of fundamental research are considered as disadvantages of applied research and vice versa. Fundamental researches are important to expand the pool of knowledge in any discipline. Findings of fundamental studies are usually applicable in a wide range of cases and scenarios. Fundamental studies usually do not have strict deadlines and they are usually driven by the curiosity of the researcher.
At the same time, fundamental studies have disadvantages as well. Findings of this type of studies have little or no practical implications. In other words, fundamental studies do not resolve concrete and specific business problems.
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John Dudovskiy
Table adapted from Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. [2012] “Research Methods for Business Students” 6th edition, Pearson Education Limited
On the contrary, applied research implies the research that is put to practical use and is beneficial to solve practical problems. This article might help you in understanding the difference between basic and applied research.
Content: Basic Research Vs Applied Research
Comparison Chart
Basis for ComparisonBasic ResearchApplied ResearchMeaningBasic Research refers to the study that is aimed at expanding the existing base of scientific knowledge.Applied Research is the research that is designed to solve specific practical problems or answer certain questions.NatureTheoreticalPracticalUtilityUniversalLimitedConcerned withDeveloping scientific knowledge and predictionsDevelopment of technology and techniqueGoalTo add some knowledge to the existing one.To find out solution for the problem at hand.Definition of Basic Research
Basic Research or otherwise called as pure or fundamental research, is one that focuses on advancing scientific knowledge for the complete understanding of a topic or certain natural phenomenon, primarily in natural sciences. In a nutshell, when knowledge is acquired for the sake of knowledge it is called basic research.
Basic Research is completely theoretical, that focuses on basic principles and testing theories. It tends to understand the basic law.
Basic Research deals with generalization and formulation of theory about human behaviour. It is aligned towards collecting information that has universal applicability. Therefore, basic research helps in adding new knowledge to the already existing knowledge.
Definition of Applied Research
Applied Research can be defined as research that encompasses real life application of the natural science. It is directed towards providing a solution to the specific practical problems and develop innovative technology.
In finer terms, it is the research that can be applied to real-life situations. It studies a particular set of circumstances, so as to relate the results to its corresponding circumstances.
Applied research includes research that focuses on certain conclusions experiencing a business problem. Moreover, research that is aligned towards ascertaining social, economic or political trends are also termed as applied research.
Key Differences Between Basic and Applied Research
The points given below explain the differences between basic and applied research:
- Basic Research can be explained as research that tries to expand the already existing scientific knowledge base. On the contrary, applied research is used to mean the scientific study that is helpful in solving real-life problems.
- While basic research is purely theoretical, applied research has a practical approach.
- The applicability of basic research is greater than the applied research, in the sense that the former is universally applicable whereas the latter can be applied only to the specific problem, for which it was carried out.
- The primary concern of the basic research is to develop scientific knowledge and predictions. On the other hand, applied research stresses on the development of technology and technique with the help of basic science.
- The fundamental goal of the basic research is to add some knowledge to the already existing one. Conversely, applied research is directed towards finding a solution to the problem under consideration.
Conclusion
The type of research may vary on the basis of the level at which research is carried out and its purpose. One can choose basic research over applied research when the purpose is to add certain scientific knowledge, whereas when it is important to identify a proper solution to the problem under study, applied research is preferable.