RRR

1) What are the key differences between basic and applied research?

Research is a calculated investigation that provides a base for the decision-making. It can be understood as the study undertaken by an individual or entity systematically, for finding out solutions to the problems under consideration. Survey or experiment are carried out to gather information as per the objectives. Based on utility, research is divided into two categories, i.e. basic research and applied research, wherein basic research is one that adds further knowledge to the actual knowledge.

Basic Research or otherwise called as pure or fundamental research, is one that focuses on advancing scientific knowledge for the complete understanding of a topic or certain natural phenomenon, primarily in natural sciences. In a nutshell, when knowledge is acquired for the sake of knowledge it is called basic research. Basic Research is completely theoretical, that focuses on basic principles and testing theories. It tends to understand the basic law.

Applied Research can be defined as research that encompasses real life application of the natural science. It is directed towards providing a solution to the specific practical problems and develop innovative technology. In finer terms, it is the research that can be applied to real-life situations. It studies a particular set of circumstances, so as to relate the results to its corresponding circumstances.

The points given below explain the differences between basic and applied research:

• Basic Research can be explained as research that tries to expand the already existing scientific knowledge base. On the contrary, applied research is used to mean the scientific study that is helpful in solving real-life problems.
• While basic research is purely theoretical, applied research has a practical approach.
• The applicability of basic research is greater than the applied research, in the sense that the former is universally applicable whereas the latter can be applied only to the specific problem, for which it was carried out.
• The primary concern of the basic research is to develop scientific knowledge and predictions. On the other hand, applied research stresses on the development of technology and technique with the help of basic science.
• The fundamental goal of the basic research is to add some knowledge to the already existing one. Conversely, applied research is directed towards finding a solution to the problem under consideration.

2) Quantitative Data Analysis !!!

In quantitative data analysis you are expected to turn raw numbers into meaningful data through the application of rational and critical thinking. The same figure within data set can be interpreted in many different ways; therefore it is important to apply fair and careful judgement.

  For example, questionnaire findings of a research titled “A study into the impacts of informal management-employee communication on the levels of employee motivation: a case study of Agro Bravo Enterprise” may indicate that the majority 52% of respondents assess communication skills of their immediate supervisors as inadequate.

  This specific piece of primary data findings needs to be critically analyzed and objectively interpreted through comparing it to other findings within the framework of the same research such as organizational culture of Agro Bravo Enterprise, leadership styles exercised, the levels of frequency of management-employee communications etc.

  Moreover, literature review findings conducted at the earlier stages of the research process need to be referred to in order to reflect the viewpoints of other authors regarding the causes of employee dissatisfaction with management communication and integrating secondary data within discussions and analyses in a logical and unbiased manner.

  Let’s take another example. A dissertation exploring the impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the levels of economic growth in Vietnam for a specific period of time with the use of correlation method, where FDI and GDP have been specified as the two variables produces a correlation coefficient of 0.9.

  In this case simply stating that there is a strong positive correlation between FDI and GDP would not suffice; you have to provide explanation about the manners in which the growth on the levels of FDI may contribute to the growth of GDP by referring to the findings of the literature review and applying your own critical and rational reasoning skills.

  A set of analytical software can be used to assist with analysis of quantitative data. The following table contains advantages and disadvantages of three popular quantitative data analysis software: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access and SPSS.

3) Qualitative Data Analysis !!!!

Qualitative data analysis can be conducted through the following three steps:

  Step 1: Developing and Applying Codes. Coding can be explained as categorization of data. A ‘code’ can be a word or a short phrase that represents a theme or an idea. All codes need to be assigned meaningful titles. A wide range of non-quantifiable elements such as events, behaviors, activities, meanings etc. can be coded.

Step 2: Identifying themes, patterns and relationships. Unlike quantitative methods, in qualitative data analysis there are no universally applicable techniques that can be applied to generate specific findings. Analytical and critical thinking skills of researcher plays significant role in data analysis in qualitative studies. Therefore, no qualitative study can be repeated to generate the same results.

Step 3: Summarizing the data. At this last stage you need to link research findings to hypotheses or research aim and objectives. When writing data analysis chapter, you can use noteworthy quotations from the transcript in order to highlight major themes within findings and possible contradictions.