Comparing the Purpose and Application of Basic, Applied, and Action
Research
Research plays a key role in the development of knowledge, the solution of practical problems,
and the further enhancement of human societies. All research is systematic and purposeful,
although the goals and methods vary across different types of research. Scholars and
practitioners characterize three major forms: basic research, applied research, and action
research.
Although each of them has a specific purpose, orientation, and application form, they are also
complementary in their ability to generate knowledge and respond to the problems of the real
world. Students, policymakers, and professionals who need research to inform theory, practice,
and change should understand their differences and the intersection
Basic Research
A basic research is carried out mainly to expand the sphere of knowledge potentials. It is also
often driven by curiosity and the desire to test assumptions or to refine the concepts in an area.
Basic research is not necessarily geared towards the practical application being made but is
geared towards laying down an intellectual foundation on which future developments in
innovations and solutions may be based.
As an example, studies done on the character of particles on a smaller scale than the atomic level
may not be of immediate use in daily life, but this can be used in the future in technology,
healthcare, or any other field. In social sciences, a basic study may only seek to uncover the
dynamics of how the human mind works with regard to making decisions but not necessarily
give suggestions.
Basic research is strong enough by being rigorous, independent and making sustainable
contribution in the academic discussions. However, its incursions into wider social concerns may
lead to the relevancy gap between scholarly activity and practice.
Applied Research
Applied research works to close the gap between the two by aligning the research to investigate
the world problems.
It is meant to generate knowledge that can be applied into practice, policies or innovations.
Applied research applies importance to utility, whereas theory-based basic research attaches
importance to theory as such. Orientation encompasses such things as medical research studies to
test new treatment of a particular illness or engineering studies to advance the materials used to
construct buildings. In the social policy, some Research can identify whether a training program,
and job creation program is successful or not.
The application of research can be understood to be common in the organizational,
governmental, or industrial scenario where the stakeholder is keen to make evidence-based
decisions. Given the requirement that applied research must be scientifically grounded, it can
involve collaboration between researchers and individuals to whom the research is to be put into
practice. This strategy contributes to enhanced accessibility and influence and influence, and at
the same time lead to theoretical superficiality.
Action Research
A more participatory and context-oriented form of study is action research. It aims at not only
gaining insight into problems but has an aim of resolving such problems as the research process
continues, with the collaboration of the stakeholders.
Action research is unique in the way it is cyclical in nature identifying a problem, intervention,
reflection, and adaptation. It has been applied in various areas e.g. in education, community
development, healthcare and in organizational management where change designers and
participants collaborate to design and implement change. Action research may include such
situations as a teacher teaming up with other teachers and students to implement new teaching
practices, which can be observed over time and adjusted accordingly. The power of action
research is that they respond and empower the participants so that knowledge generation and
problem solving is not an isolated task.
Comparative Perspective
The comparison of these three forms indicates the differences and complementarities. Basic
research can give the theoretical frameworks upon which applied and action research can rely.
Applied research--Applied research applies the theory into practice through the formulation of
practical solutions. Action research is a step further because it not only incorporates inquiry into
the practice but also, the solving of the problem is a procedure that creates knowledge.
Applications Across Contexts
In the academic context, the value of basic research is based on its contribution to the knowledge
base and discourse of a discipline. The results of applied research are often in demand;
governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations seek the information to base
decisions upon policy and strategy.Such research has been commonly implemented in settings
where the directors of the practice must have a firm hand in it, as in the case of schools,
hospitals, and local communities. The decision on the type of research is informed by the
questions, the requirement by the stakeholders, and the desire to impact. Significantly, these
types do not have to be treated as mutually exclusive. A doctoral project can be initiated based
on a theoretical framework generated with basic research, evaluate the relevance of that
framework in applied research, and develop the utility of the framework in action research
cycles.
Conclusion
Basic research, applied research, and action research are all necessary to society, knowledge
growth, and errors and must be sort out based upon the purpose, orientation, and application.
Basic research is the one that constructs the theoretical frameworks that enhance the
understanding.
Applied research converts those foundations into solutions of real life problems. The action
research makes sure that solutions are responsive, participatory and context sensitive. Instead of
a particular type being privileged over the other, intelligent research design acknowledges the
complementary nature of the perspectives, requiring these to be integrated with one another. By
so doing, researchers can create a happy medium between academic rigor and social relevance to
ensure their work can appeal to the academic discourse area as well as relevant social change in
practice.
