Pure research seeks to expand fundamental knowledge, driven by curiosity, while applied research is designed to solve practical problems with immediate applications. Both are crucial for knowledge advancement and interact to inform each other.
Pure Research
- Also known as basic or fundamental research, pure research is conducted without any immediate application in mind. It expands knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of the universe.
- It’s often curiosity-driven, intending to expand knowledge boundaries without necessarily considering its commercial or practical application.
- The outcomes of pure research can be unpredictable. This type of research can often lead to new theories, methodologies, or understanding that may have significant applications in the future.
- Examples of pure research include studying the behavior of subatomic particles, genetic research in an organism with no current medical application, or investigating the properties of a new chemical compound.
Applied Research
- Applied research is designed to solve practical problems or improve systems in the real world. The findings have a direct application and are intended to address a specific concern or to fulfill a perceived need.
- It is problem-focused, dealing with immediate issues facing society, industry, or business.
- Applied research can employ similar methodologies to pure research but is guided by the need to have a practical end-result. The goals are more immediate and specific.
- Examples of applied research include developing a new drug to treat a particular disease, finding ways to increase crop yield, or researching the impact of a new tax policy.
Comparison and Interaction
- Both pure and applied research are critical to the progression of human knowledge and technological advancement. They often interact and inform each other, with the findings in one domain sparking new questions or applications in the other.
- Pure research often provides the foundational knowledge that applied research builds upon to develop practical applications.
- However, applied research can also uncover new questions that pure research seeks to answer, forming a symbiotic relationship.
- The timeline for the practical impact of research can differ significantly between pure and applied research. Applied research usually has immediate or near-term practical applications, while the impact of pure research can take much longer to manifest.
- Funding sources and structures can also vary. Pure research is often funded by governments and charitable institutions interested in the progression of knowledge. In contrast, applied research is more frequently funded by organizations that have a direct interest in the practical applications of the research.
