FUNDAMENTAL
RESEARCH
Online Assignment submitted to the University of Kerala
First Semester B.Ed. Degree 2019 for
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Edu: 03 Technology and Communication in
Education
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ASWATHY A S
Physical Science
Reg. No. :
MAR THEOPHILUS TRAINING COLLEGE
MAR IVANIOS VIDYA NAGAR, NALANCHIRA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
2019
INTRODUCTION
Education serves as a primary foundation of gaining knowledge. It is
important in that without it a person may act like a cave man with no idea on
things and stuff surrounding him.The twenty-first century has seen the level of education going up through educational research, and it has been racing side by side with technology advancement. Every day new things are discovered, and we have the right to know.
Research is commonly defined as a systematic
investigation with the intent to verify facts and generate updated
conclusions. Regarding its utility, research is divided into two: basic
and applied. Many researchers suggest that these are closely working with each
other as basic research is a platform which applied research often uses to
solve real life problems. Also, basic research employs technology (which was
developed by applied research) to address its objectives. Thus, these inquiries
form a cycle of advancement.
Generally, applied research deals with
particular topics which have direct practical relevance. On the contrary, basic
research is mainly motivated by the expansion of knowledge and seek to answer
questions that are not related to direct applications. The following concepts
delve into such distinctions.
Fundamental Research
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.
Basic
( fundamental or pure) 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?
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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."
Fundamental or pure research since it is mainly
concerned with the improvement of scientific knowledge. The purpose of
basic research is simply to gather more information to further understand
existing phenomena specially in the field of natural sciences. Its focus is on
supporting as well as challenging assumptions which aim to explain various
phenomena. Pure research looks at the “big picture” in the sense that it looks
for overall factors and related postulates. Hence, fundamental research is
purely theoretical as it delves into basic laws and principles.
Though the engendered ideas may not be directly applied to current situations, such conclusions from basic research are highly fundamental in enhancing future applied studies. For instance, previous studies on mathematical theories have been utilized in programming and other information technology processes.
Purpose :
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Expand knowledge of processes of business and
management
Results in universal principles relating to
the process and its relationship to outcomes
Findings of significance and value to society
in general
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Context :
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Undertaken by people based in universities
Choice of topic and objectives determined by
the researcher
Flexible time scales
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CONCLUSION
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.
Summary of Basic Research
- As to purpose, research is generally divided into two: basic and applied.
- Basic research can provide valuable information that applied research can use.
- Such inquiries form a cycle of advancement.
- Basic research is also known as fundamental or pure research since it is mainly concerned with the improvement of scientific knowledge.
- The purpose of applied research is to know more about a certain real-world problem and take steps to solve it.
- Basic research is theoretical in nature while applied research is practical; hence, it is associated with technology.
- As compared to applied research, basic research has a wider scope.
- While basic research predicts future phenomena, applied research creates solutions or preventions for probable problems.
- Basic research is curiosity-driven while applied research is client-driven.
- As compared to basic research, applied research is more closely associated with economically related objectives.
- Basic research mostly appears in academic publications.
- While basic research takes place in a sterile environment, applied research is often conducted in messy real-world settings.
