Applied research is a type of research that aims to solve practical problems and address real-world issues. It is often conducted in collaboration with industry, government, or other organizations and is focused on finding practical solutions to problems that can be immediately applied in the field. There are several key features that define applied research and distinguish it from other types of research.
One of the main features of applied research is its focus on solving specific, practical problems. Applied research is often driven by a desire to address a specific issue or challenge that is facing an organization or society. This means that applied research is typically more focused and targeted than other types of research, which may be more exploratory or theoretical in nature.
Another key feature of applied research is its emphasis on real-world relevance and practicality. Applied research is often designed to generate results that can be immediately applied or implemented in the field, rather than simply contributing to our understanding of a particular subject. This means that applied research is typically more practical and actionable than other types of research, which may be more theoretical or abstract in nature.
A third feature of applied research is its interdisciplinary nature. Many applied research projects involve collaboration between researchers from different disciplines, as well as partnerships with organizations in the public or private sector. This interdisciplinary approach is often necessary in order to address complex, real-world problems that involve multiple factors and require expertise from a variety of fields.
A final feature of applied research is its focus on generating results that are both scientifically rigorous and practically useful. Applied research often requires a balance between these two goals, as the results must be both reliable and relevant in order to be useful. This means that applied research projects often involve careful planning, rigorous methods, and thorough analysis in order to generate reliable and useful results.
Overall, applied research is a type of research that is focused on solving practical problems and addressing real-world issues. Its key features include a focus on specific, practical problems; an emphasis on real-world relevance and practicality; an interdisciplinary approach; and a focus on generating results that are both scientifically rigorous and practically useful.