Part 1: Article Analysis

Knowing the difference between applied and basic research is necessary for developing an effective research study.

The difference between basic research and applied research lies in their respective aims:

o Basic research refers to research aimed at acquiring new, fundamental knowledge and theoretical understanding about basic human and other natural processes without any particular application in view.

o Applied research is also conducted as an original investigation to acquire new knowledge, but it is primarily directed toward practical objectives, with the aim of providing relatively immediate solutions.

Locate an applied research article on a topic in your program of study from the University Library. To familiarize yourself with the different applied designs, review the Qualitative and Quantitative research designs in the Dissertation Guide in CDS Central. Some keywords to use while searching for an article in the library might include: Action Research, Program Evaluation, etc.

Write a 350- to 525-word analysis about what makes the study discussed in the article applied versus basic research. Include in your analysis:

o The article topic (e.g., education, business, healthcare) and a link to the article

o How the study in the article addresses a real-world, practical problem

o How the results of the study could impact people’s lives, work, health, and/or general well-being

Part 2: Accessibility

An important aspect of choosing a topic is access or the ability to conduct your study. For example, you may want to know how leaders in XYZ company use social media to increase sales, but leaders in XYZ company are unwilling to talk to you.

Additionally, when selecting a topic for your study, consider whether conducting the study would involve talking to protected classes of people or vulnerable populations. Federal regulations require protecting the welfare of vulnerable subjects who may not be of age, have the authority or ability to speak for themselves, or are vulnerable in any other way. Protected classes include the following:

o Children or minors under age 18

o Prisoners

o Pregnant women

o People with cognitive impairments or mental disabilities

o People who are educationally or economically disadvantaged

If you are considering conducting research with any of the protected classes of human subjects, consider options for conducting your study in a different way. For example, instead of talking to minor children, talk to their parents. There are many creative options!

Write a 250- to 500-word response to the following questions related to access and permission:

o What permissions will you need to access the people, organizations, and/or data to conduct your research?

o Who might you need to consult to gain permission to conduct your study?

o What potential issues might you encounter?

o How might you address these potential issues?

Compile Part 1 and Part 2 into one document for submission.

Use the provided Student Paper Template to ensure proper APA formatting.

Include APA-formatted in-text citations, a title page, and a reference page. 

Submit your assignment.

Resources

o CDS Central

o CDS Central > Student Resources