Basic Research Against Applied Research
Mukwaya Aloysious
Bsc. Phy, Msc M & E
Basic Research:
Basic research is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent something. There is no obvious commercial value to the discoveries that result from basic research. For example, basic science investigations probe for answers to questions such as: • How did the universe begin? • What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of? • How do slime molds reproduce? • What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly? Most scientists believe that a basic, fundamental understanding of all branches of science is needed in order for progress to take place. In other words, basic research lays down the foundation for the applied science that follows. If basic work is done first, then applied spin-offs often eventually result from this research. As Dr. George Smoot of LBNL says, "People cannot foresee the future well enough to predict what's going to develop from basic research. If we only did applied research, we would still be making better spears."
Applied Research:
Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. One might say that the goal of the applied scientist is to improve the human condition. For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to: • improve agricultural crop production • treat or cure a specific disease • improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation Some scientists feel that the time has come for a shift in emphasis away from purely basic research and toward applied science. This trend, they feel, is necessitated by the problems resulting from global overpopulation, pollution, and the overuse of the earth's natural resources.
Mukwaya Aloysious
Bsc. Phy, Msc M & E
Basic Research:
Basic research is driven by a scientist's curiosity or interest in a scientific question. The main motivation is to expand man's knowledge, not to create or invent something. There is no obvious commercial value to the discoveries that result from basic research. For example, basic science investigations probe for answers to questions such as: • How did the universe begin? • What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of? • How do slime molds reproduce? • What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly? Most scientists believe that a basic, fundamental understanding of all branches of science is needed in order for progress to take place. In other words, basic research lays down the foundation for the applied science that follows. If basic work is done first, then applied spin-offs often eventually result from this research. As Dr. George Smoot of LBNL says, "People cannot foresee the future well enough to predict what's going to develop from basic research. If we only did applied research, we would still be making better spears."
Applied Research:
Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. One might say that the goal of the applied scientist is to improve the human condition. For example, applied researchers may investigate ways to: • improve agricultural crop production • treat or cure a specific disease • improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation Some scientists feel that the time has come for a shift in emphasis away from purely basic research and toward applied science. This trend, they feel, is necessitated by the problems resulting from global overpopulation, pollution, and the overuse of the earth's natural resources.
Thanks
ReplyDeleteIn today's world , we look onto proactive intervention , in light of my presentation, Basic research is another type of research, and it is driven purely by curiosity and a desire to expand knowledge. This type of research tends not to be directly applicable to the real world in a direct way, but enhances our understanding of the world around us.
ReplyDeleteApplied research is reactive. it is used for a particular problem at hand; How should a student study? Applied Research proves a direct and applicable finding
A case in point about studying; Most people like to study in their bedroom, laying on their bed in some weird posture. they collect all their notes and spread them haphazardly across the bed. Just reading is boring, so they may have a radio on and the television on.
However research has found that a quiet room, without music animals or television improves concentration
Basic research is of greater importance because it can carry out several studies at one time with generic and specifics aspects for reactive and proactive demand while Applied research concentrates on a study and reactive intervention which leaves many other challenges pending attention , may probe other challenges with time on top of the unsolved hence magnifying issues unaddressed