OROMIA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

DEPARTMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Research Methodology Course Individual Assignment

Submitted by: Dechasa Gebisa

ID. No.PG/LCM/W/15/903MB10

Instructor: Chala Dechasa (Phd, Associate Professor)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

May, 2023
 Table of Contents
Contents Pages

1. The Difference between Basic Research and Applied Research ............................................................... 2

Basic Research ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Benefits of Conducting Basic Research ......................................................................................................... 3
Applied Research ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Benefits of Applied Research ........................................................................................................................ 3
Similarities of Basic Research and Applied Research ................................................................................... 4
2. The Difference between Action Research and Applied Research ................................................................. 4
Applied Research ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Action Research ............................................................................................................................................. 4
3. The Difference between Operational Research and Evaluation Research ..................................................... 5
References .................................................................................................................................................. 6

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 1. The Difference between Basic Research and Applied Research
There are many different types of research methods to help professionals gain the information they
seek. The two main research methods commonly used are basic research, which helps expand
existing knowledge, and applied research, which provides a solution to an existing problem.

Basic Research
Basic research, or fundamental research, is a type of investigation focused on improving the
understanding of a particular phenomenon, study or law of nature. This type of research examines
data to find the unknown and fulfil a sense of curiosity. Usually, these involve "how," "what" and
"why" questions to explain occurrences. Basic research looks at how processes or concepts work.
Information obtained from basic research often creates a foundation for applied studies.

Where basic research gathers information and data on a subject, applied research uses that data to
look for answers to questions. Applied research takes the data obtained in basic research and applies
it to answer a question and provide a possible solution.

Basic research focuses on the advancement of knowledge, rather than solving a problem. However,
applied research directs its efforts toward finding a solution to a specific problem in applied
research; researchers often work to help a client and are driven by the client's desires. Basic
research experiments are performed to further scientific knowledge without an obvious or
immediate benefit. The goal of basic research is to understand the function of newly discovered
molecules and cells, strange phenomena, or little-understood processes. While it works to uncover
specific knowledge, it's generally not used to develop a solution. Conversely, applied research
discovers answers to specific questions. It should be used to find out new knowledge to solve a
problem.

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 are some tittles of basic research examples.

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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.

Applied Research
Applied research is a type of examination looking to find practical solutions for existing problems.
These can include challenges in the workplace, education and society. This research type uses
empirical methodologies, such as experiments, to collect further data in an area of study. Findings
are applicable and usually implemented upon completion of a study. Applied research focuses on
answering one specific question for a client or sponsor. It's a type of research method for applying
natural sciences to real life to improve the human condition.

Here are some examples of potential applied research scenarios:

A study on how to improve illiteracy in teenagers, 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.

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.

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Similarities of Basic Research and Applied Research
Both basic research and applied research are methods for finding certain information. Researchers
of these methods use inductive and deductive reasoning to support their research hypotheses.

When conducting basic research and applied research, researchers tend to use similar data
collection methods, however, their end goals vary.

2. The Difference between Action Research and Applied Research

Applied Research
It is socially useful application of the knowledge generated to social concerns. Action research is
useful in solving an immediate, specific problem Action research is very useful in solving
classroom problems.

Action Research
It focused on solving a specific problem or improving a specific situation in a local context,
whereas applied research is more general and focuses on finding solutions to broader problems or
issues.

Action research is often participatory, involving stakeholders in the research process, whereas
applied research may not involve stakeholders and may be conducted by researchers independently.

Action research is typically conducted in a single setting or organization, whereas applied research
may be conducted across multiple settings or organizations.

Action research is often iterative and involves multiple cycles of data collection, analysis, and
action, whereas applied research may be a one-time study.

Action research often has immediate practical implications for the participants and the organization,
whereas applied research may not have immediate practical implications but may inform policy or
future research.

It often employs qualitative methods, such as interviews, observations, and document analysis,
whereas applied research may employ both qualitative and quantitative methods.

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3. The Difference between Operational Research and Evaluation Research

Operation Research focuses on gaining the conclusions or facts that can be generalized, theoretical
outcomes and are controlled by the researchers while Evaluation focuses on specific and applied
knowledge, within the set boundaries and is controlled by those who are funding it.

The difference is that operation research will study how the events occurred and why. But
evaluation will see how efficient the event was and what is its merit and worth in the given relevant
frame of the subject. The field of operations research (alternately termed operational research or
management science) is defined as the application of advanced analytical techniques in order to
solve complex problems. Operations research (OR) contain a set of tools used by those who must
make organizational decisions.

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References
Dawson, Catherine, 2002, Practical Research Methods, New Delhi, UBS Publishers‘

Distributors,

• Kothari, C.R.,1985, Research Methodology-Methods and Techniques, New Delhi,

Wiley Eastern Limited.

• Kumar, Ranjit, 2005, Research Methodology-A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners,

(2nd.ed), Singapore, Pearson Education

• Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 4th

Edition, by John W. Creswell (Author)

• The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (Sage Handbooks) 4th Edition, by

Norman K. Denzin (Editor), Yvonna S. Lincoln (Editor)

• Research an Introduction: Robert Ross

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