CONTENT STANDARD PERFORMANCE STANDARD

The learner demonstrates understanding of the nature of The learner should be able to
research and research processes, different standard rules in make a portfolio of abstracts of researches in his/her field of
the conduct of research, which are necessary in the interest.
preparation of the system of research documentation.

 Categorize research in terms of features and

Learning Competencies relevance. (SSP_RS8_TSR-Ia-2)

THE NATURE OF RESEARCH

TYPES OF RESEARCH

The types of research are determined by the aims of the researcher. When the research is
conducted solely to come up with new knowledge or to have a fuller understanding of a particular
subject for its own sake, then it is classified as basic research. However, if the research is done to
find an application of the knowledge whether new or old, it is classified as applied research.
Sometimes, classifying research becomes difficult when it does not actually deal with the application
but only indicates how generated information could lead to an initial application.

Fundamental or Basic Research

Fundamental research is being carried out to present new scientific theories and to extend the
field of science in various fields. This type of research aims to foster scientific theories
through the discovery of general principles or rules and less attention is given to the
application of these abilities in action and reality. This type of research is usually done in
laboratories and often on animals. Psychologists are among the scientists who are most
interested in doing this kind of research.
Basic research is also known as 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.

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Basic research

Seeks generalization
Aims at basic processes
Attempts to explain why things happen
Tries to get all the facts
Reports in technical language of the topic

Applied Research

Applied research is done to quickly resolve problems and take the necessary steps. This type
of research seeks to solve various problems using the findings of fundamental research. In
other words, in applied research, the researcher practices the fundamental research findings in
action. This research, unlike fundamental research which has a theoretical nature, is more
focused on real phenomena and scientific issues. It is a non-laboratory-based nature and is
done to deal with social, political, etc. realities.
The purpose of applied research is to know more about a certain real-world problem and take
steps to solve it. It focuses on the application of natural science principles on practical
difficulties as well as enhancing innovations. Such studies are often associated with the fields
of business, economics, health, and politics. For instance, a company may hire an applied
researcher to look into the best way of hiring applicants and placing employees in connection
with the organization’s various positions.

Many applied researchers utilize the naturalistic observation method to verify existing social
difficulties and then conduct experiments to ascertain solutions. However, data gathering
challenges such as ethics and validity issues may arise specially when testing procedures may
pose harm for humans and animals. Thus, restrictions are applied in employing the respective
study procedures.

Applied research

 Studies individual or specific cases without the objective to generalize

 Aims at any variable which makes the desired difference
 Tries to say how things can be changed
 Tries to correct the facts which are problematic
 Reports in common language


Examples of basic research

Here are some examples of basic research:

 A study looking at how alcohol consumption impacts the brain

 A study to discover the components making up human DNA
 A study accessing whether stress levels make people more aggressive
 A study looking to see if gender stereotypes lead to depression
 A study searching for the causative factors of cancer
 A study on the growth process of oak trees
 A study trying to find out what makes up a proton
 A study seeing what areas of the United States have the most rain
 A study examining whether a vegetarian diet is healthier than one with meat

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  A study on the origination of cryptocurrency
 A study on the various types of kiwis grown in Chile

Benefits of conducting basic research

Expanding knowledge through basic research can have several benefits. Some advantages of
conducting basic research include:

 Understanding living systems and living processes

 Helping to prepare for the future by equipping society for issues that may arise
 Providing a foundation for applied research
 Leading to medical advances

Examples of applied research

Here are some examples of potential applied research scenarios:

 A study on how to improve illiteracy in teenagers

 A study looking for ways to market products for millennials
 A study trying to decrease fraud on social media platforms
 A study searching for ways to encourage high school graduates to attend college
 A study to find ways to make car tires last longer
 A study exploring ways to cook gluten-free meals with a limited budget
 A study on how to treat patients with insomnia
 A study looking for ways to improve patient retention at a dentist's office
 A study on methods for diagnosing patients with schizophrenia
 A study providing solutions for how to train dogs to stay in their yard
 A study on how to prevent mosquito bites from itching
 A study to find what marketing strategies to use on college campuses

Benefits of applied research

Beyond serving as a way to solve existing problems, applied research has several benefits. Here are
some advantages of using applied research:

 Saving businesses money by helping them make better decisions

 Creating new objectives
 Designing new products and services
 Providing unbiased data through testing empirical evidence

Difference between Basic and Applied Research

Basic research is meant to expand one’s current knowledge while applied research is aiming
to solve particular life problems.
Summary of Basic and Applied 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.

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  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.

Basic and applied research, further divided into three types of research bearing some characteristics
feature as follows:
Quantitative research

 It is numerical, non-descriptive, applies statistics or mathematics and uses numbers.

 It is an iterative process whereby evidence is evaluated.
 The results are often presented in tables and graphs.
 It is conclusive.
 It investigates the what, where and when of decision making.

Qualitative research

 It is non-numerical, descriptive, applies reasoning and uses words.

 Its aim is to get the meaning, feeling and describe the situation.
 Qualitative data cannot be graphed.
 It is exploratory.
 It investigates the why and how of decision making.

Mixed-research
Mixed research- research that involves the mixing of quantitative and qualitative methods or
paradigm characteristics. Nature of data is mixture of variables, words and images.

Other Types of Scientific Research

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Exploratory Research

Exploratory research works on the existence or absence of a phenomenon. It also tries to find answers
to problems that are not clear. Exploratory research can be conducted in many fields and can,
therefore, be considered the most flexible and extensive research method.

Descriptive research

In this type of research, the researcher studies the current state of the subject and describes and
interprets the existing conditions and relationships. In other words, descriptive research examines a
phenomenon by expressing a more complete definition and contrasting it with other phenomena. The
main purpose of this type of research is to give an objective, realistic description of the characteristics
of a situation or a topic.

Explanatory research

This type of research seeks to find cause and effect relationships among the various variables.
Explanatory research is the study and transfer of complex ideas and information. Analyzing and
synthesizing information from various sources to produce text is the most important purpose of the
explanatory method to increase the reader’s understanding of the subject and the research problem.

Longitudinal Research

The longitudinal study refers to a set of observational studies in which the case group is studied over
time.

Cross-sectional Research

A cross-sectional study is a type of observational study in which the variables, in terms of prevalence
or relevance, are studied only at a given time and in a given community.

Action research

Action research is a type of research conducted by people involved in socio-educational situations

whose purpose is to improve the reasoning, justice of their social practices, and to increase their
understanding of the situation.

ACTIVITY SHEETS

Learning Task 1

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Instruction: Using a Venn Diagram, illustrate the difference and similarities of fundamental
and applied research. (10pts)

Learning Task 2

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Instruction: Based on your understanding from the lesson; put shade/color to the boxes with word
or phrase describing fundamental research. If the word/phrase describes applied research do not
put any marks.

B I NGO
Present new Data are
Experimental Aims at any
scientific observed but not Wider scope
design variable
theories measured

Seeks Tries to get all Messy real

practical Field notes
generalization the facts world-setting

Less generalized
To test
hypothesis
FREE Scientific issues
Words, images
or objects
(color this part)

Application Create new Aims at basic Numerical and

theoretical
forms objectives processes statistics

Creates solution Come up with Predicts future

Exploratory Cause & Effect
or prevention new knowledge phenomena

Learning Task 3

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Instruction: Explain in at least 5 sentences what you prefer most? Fundamental Research or
Applied Research?