Fundamental and Applied Research
Fundamental research and applied research are types of analyses that differ in their socio-cultural orientation, in the form of organization and the translation of knowledge, and the methods of interaction of researchers and scholars’ involvements. As business research elements, those two approaches differ in their purpose and context. Fundamental research is aimed at creating theoretical concepts and models to depict practical applicability that was not apparent. The general task of this research type is to understand the laws that govern the behavior and interaction of the basic structures of nature, society, and the mind.
These laws and structures are studied in the pure form regardless of their possible use; therefore, such studies are often called pure, and also referred to as basic. In the business field, theoretical research focuses on analyzing and understanding various processes of management and business and their impact on organizational effectiveness and problem-solving (Saunders et al., 2012). It contributes to the knowledge base that is further used in the education and training of practically all specialists who work in the business sector. Theoretical research is labeled as a characteristic of academic science since it is used predominantly in universities and academies, but their studies can be utilized in particular business situations. For instance, the outcomes of successful fundamental research can be applied within the organization to yield material benefits.
Applied research is a section of fundamental science and is seen as an independent discipline designed to achieve significant results in the investigation of practical solutions for specific economic, technical, or social problems. It is aimed at the intellectual support of the innovation process as the basis of the socio-economic development of modern civilization. The knowledge generated in applied research is focused on its direct use in other areas of studies, such as business, technology, economics, and social management (Bell et al., 2018). Therefore, ultimately scientists receive projects, programs, and recommendations for creating innovations and improvements.
According to Sekaran and Bougie (2016), managers usually conduct applied research to find out the timely and appropriate solutions for the issues that emerged in their work setting. This type of research is often used to take corrective action. For example, the managers of the large retailer are considered with low demand for the new product, so they might require to define reasons for this in order to make needed changes. In other words, the immediate task of any research group or organization is to provide a competitive advantage for the organizational structure for whom the research is carried out. Moreover, this task defines priorities in the activities of researchers and the organization of the entire research process. It includes the choice of problems, the composition of research groups, and the limitation of external communications.
Differences between Fundamental and Applied Research
At first glance, the difference between theoretical and applied research and the corresponding sciences are quite simple. Theoretical analysis is connected with the study of new phenomena, effects, and processes, as well as with the discovery of new laws governing these phenomena (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016). Applied research uses the results of basic research to pursue individual interests. The former is engaged in purely theoretical and abstract study and is not concerned about how useful their results are level. The latter are only interested in the practical application of laws, principles, and effects discovered by significant branches of science and do not pose any theoretical problems.
Another difference lies in the key consumers of the research outcomes. Basic research is usually undertaken in universities, which is required by an academic agenda. The primary receiver of such research projects is the academic community. It is the main reason why scientists relatively neglect the practical application of the results. The researcher has a chance to choose the topic and set objectives on his own, and the time scales are usually flexible (Saunders et al., 2012). On the contrary, applied research is usually undertaken within an individual enterprise or organization in order to determine appropriate action. In that case, the researcher is ordered to work on the topic negotiated with the originator, while the time scale is fixed.
Fundamental research is ahead of applied research in its development, creating a theoretical foundation for them. Basic research constitutes only a small part of the total volume of scientific research. Fundamental and applied research has various methods and subjects of study. For example, theoretical research uses analysis, synthesis, abstraction, induction, deduction, and other methods. At the same time, applied research uses more involved methods such as testing, analysis of existing data, and research of theoretical studies’ outcomes (McAvoy & Butler, 2018). Each of them has its quality criteria, understanding of the functions of a scientist, history, and even its ideology. Fundamental studies dealt exclusively with the increment of new knowledge and applied only with the application of proven facts.
The difference between basic and applied research can be spotted in those concepts, laws, and theories that they seek to establish. The primary gap between applied research and fundamental research is that the former is related to the interests of people, while the latter studies objective laws that exist independently of a person’s will, desire, and goals. Since purposeful activity is associated with the objectives, applied research can be characterized as an investigative tool in which the subjective factor plays a significant role (Bell et al., 2018). Applied research focuses on the task of finding methods to meet the initially set objectives. Therefore, the subjective appraisal of the process and its outcomes are essential elements of applied research. On the contrary, fundamental research is designed in a way to eliminate any subjectivity from its methodology. In fundamental sciences, researchers apply the existing knowledge in order to probe the laws of the external world totally regardless of specific research tasks and practical objectives.
Since science is one of the developed forms of expedient activity, goals are always set for both fundamental and applied research. Nevertheless, the nature of the objectives pursued is wholly different. If the purpose of applied research is to find specific laws, based on which practical problems could be effectively solved, then fundamental research is undertaken to solve theoretical problems (Mi, 2016). These problems can arise, for example, as a result of discovering inconsistencies of the old theory with newly discovered empirical facts.
Similarities between Fundamental and Applied Research
Despite being mainly a theoretical study, fundamental research and its methods can be utilized to solve applied problems. Both research types, regardless of their differences, perform two similar functions. Fundamental and applied researches are designed to prepare an analysis of any situations or phenomena and provide a forecast for their development. The levels of analysis and prediction, as it is evident, are different. However, the product of both fundamental and applied research must be some recommendations (Saunders et al., 2012). Judgments resulting from applied research are instrumental as they are more specific and can be interpreted as direct instructions or advice. Nevertheless, both research options are often undertaken scientifically in order to reserve the ability to apply them both to solve the current issue.
Applied Research in the Context of a D.B.A.
A D.B.A. is a professional doctorate with a focus on theoretical knowledge and its use in business practice. Principally, a D.B.A. candidate is focused on contributing to the practice of management and a difference in the industry. The D.B.A. program differs from other business programs, primarily in the practical focus and academic nature of fundamental education (Preston, 2014). The D.B.A. program involves the acquisition of additional knowledge and skills in the field of applied economic disciplines. Students in the program thoroughly study and analyze the most pressing problems in business, strategic management, the latest methods of strategic management, features of innovative management, application of I.T. technologies, and international business. Students learn a significant amount of information on their own. Typically, the form of training is part-time, but the student can choose a more convenient type of learning for himself. Teachers are principally businessmen, authors of famous books, luminaries in business teaching, business scientists.
This program offers a considerable part of practical research, unlike many purely academic programs, and individuals with work experience who have an idea of efficient research methods and the further application of acquired knowledge often participate in the learning process. One of the departments of applied research in this program is a long-term study of about three years that allows one to track economic processes in dynamics, test hypotheses in various conditions, and implement the results. Trainees focus on in-depth research in any field of business management, and the research project of each student is the result of training under the program (Banerjee & Morley, 2013). The main goals of applied research on this program are to reveal the problem fields and management features in the context of globalization and the international interaction of economic systems.
Moreover, various modern practices and methods are applied to enhance students’ scientific base of management decisions that have been practically tested in order to improve their research skills and management tools expertise. According to Banerjee and Morley (2013), applied research on this program is carried out by people based in a variety of settings, including organizations and universities, for subsequent use in their own companies or employer’s companies.
Furthermore, leading managers and directors usually instruct their wards to participate in this program, so purposes of studies are arranged with the originator. In contrast to academic programs, D.B.A. has tight time scales, since the student frequently has a specific practical meaning of the application. In this case, the model of the rational sciences resolves the tasks of improving understanding of particular business or management problems that arise in everyday work. Students are also focused on obtaining research results to find a proper solution to the problem (Saunders et al., 2012). The program also includes new knowledge limited to problem-solving since, in a practical study, the manager does not need to acquire extensive theoretical knowledge in the field of economics.
References
Banerjee, S., and Morley, C. (2013). Professional doctorates in management: Toward a practice-based approach to doctoral education.Academy of Management Learning & Education. 12(2) 173-193. Web.
Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2018). Business research methods. Oxford University Press.
McAvoy, J., & Butler, T. (2018). A critical realist method for applied business research. Journal of Critical Realism, 17(2), 160–175.
Mi, T. (2016). Basic research and applied research definitions and differences video & lesson transcript study. YouTube. Web.
Preston, J. C. (2014). Online doctoral programs: Can they produce the business scientists and leaders needed for the 21st century?International Journal of Leadership and Change, 2(1), article 5. Web.
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2012). Research methods for business students (6th ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill-building approach. John Wiley & Sons.