Fundamental Research | Definition, Examples & Methods

Introduction

Fundamental research, which overlaps with basic research and pure research, establishes and expands fundamental knowledge through scientific research methods. Such research is less focused on practical implications and more focused on advancing human understanding of the world. On the other hand, applied research in science often solves practical problems and advances economic or strategic interests. Ultimately, determining whether research is fundamental or applied holds important implications for export control regulations and enforcement of patent rights.

In this article, we'll look at the concept of fundamental research and what the distinction holds for researchers and their ability to disseminate findings within the scientific community.

What is fundamental research?

In many aspects, fundamental research is essentially basic research. In contrast to applied research, fundamental research is intended to produce knowledge that is meant to expand scientific knowledge in general terms without any specific or directed aims.

Researchers pursue this type of research to contribute to a more fundamental understanding of basic scientific principles. The intention behind fundamental research is closer to pure curiosity in formalizing a concept or phenomenon in scientific theory, while applied research has a directed aim that can benefit those who conduct or support the research in ways that provide some sort of advantage, competitively or economically.

There are other nuances that may be consequential for certain research inquiries. Unlike its basic counterpart, the term "fundamental research" is typically invoked when there is no proprietary or national security motivation involved in conducting the research and when the research findings won't compromise patent rights if ordinarily published for dissemination.

As a result, protections are in place for applied research that generates proprietary or sensitive information to regulate the sharing of such insights in open forums where such publication would compromise patent rights or have undesirable policy implications for national security. Production and storage of nuclear materials, for example, have significant considerations for national security, and thus the dissemination controls relevant to this sort of research are heavily stringent to ensure that such knowledge isn't made widely available to potentially bad actors.

In this respect, fundamental research requires no such protections beyond those against copyright violations, plagiarism, and other concerns that any researcher might have when disseminating their research.

Most university research in science disciplines that are socially constructed are generally less likely to need distinctions between basic and applied research, considering that the nature of social science research often does not involve generating proprietary knowledge.

Why is there a distinction between fundamental and applied research?

We can examine the distinction between types of research based on what they aim to accomplish and why they are undertaken. Fundamental research, like basic or pure research, yields insights that are generally applicable to the scientific community at large, while applied research serves a specific purpose with limited applications outside of its immediate context.

This contrast potentially affects the study design, particularly as the intention behind a given research inquiry informs the research question, collection of guiding literature, and the kind of insights generated from the resulting data analysis.

In academic research, scientific knowledge is open to all scholars by necessity. Theories that are meant to explain the world are only as valid as the consensus that they generate. Research is published and shared broadly in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences because reviewers agree with the findings or, at minimum, accept the credibility of the data and the analysis that is generated from it.

On the other hand, certain research is considered proprietary or restricted for commercial, financial, or strategic reasons. A company might invent a new product or service that can be profitable to them only if the underlying technology is kept secret. Governments might restrict the dissemination of research in biotechnology or engineering if such knowledge might help rival countries negate any competitive or strategic advantage.

The term "fundamental research" has a consequential distinction from applied research on a practical level, as research that falls under the fundamental research exclusion is not subject to export controls. Compared to proprietary research or research that is classified for national security reasons, basic research essentially faces fewer dissemination controls, allowing a more free exchange of knowledge to be published and shared broadly within the scientific community.

Industrial development is subject to accepted restrictions set by export administration regulations. Chip technologies, for example, face both economic and national security regulations that prevent certain research and materials from being disseminated across countries.

Ultimately, the distinction in all these instances comes down to the intention behind the research. If the researchers or the stakeholders of the research are set to gain from withholding the resulting knowledge, there are protections in place by categorizing the study as applied research.

Examples of fundamental research

One of the more famous, recent endeavors that invite both fundamental and applied research is the CRISPR gene editing project, which looked at expanding understanding of genetics and biotechnology in the research community. The project ultimately yielded and continues to yield real-world applications in terms of medical science, agriculture, and even manufacturing.

On the other hand, many facets of the CRISPR project advanced scientists' fundamental understanding of chemistry and biology in relation to genetics. A number of research inquiries exploring the roles and capabilities of DNA sequences, for example, eventually led to applied research aimed at identifying new medicines or other medical treatments, but the initial research is considered fundamental research for developments in the theoretical understanding of the underlying science of gene editing.

Fundamental research is far more common in the social sciences, where there is arguably less need for regulations for intellectual property and other sensitive information. Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy is one such example of fundamental research in sociology. This understanding of hierarchical structure in social groups has proven integral to fields such as workplace organization, political science, and public administration.

Finally, John R. P. French and Bertram Raven provide one more prominent example of fundamental research contributing to sociology, anthropology, and sociolinguistics. Their theory on the bases of social power differentiates between the various kinds of power that people exert over one another. The power wielded by teachers with expert knowledge, for instance, is inherently different than the power held by bosses and managers with the promise of a paid salary. This theory holds no immediate practical implications, but it is significant to scientific understanding of social relations such that it can inform future research.

Differences between fundamental research and applied research

Beyond the main distinction regarding protection of intellectual property and governmental interests, there are differences among a number of characteristics between fundamental research and applied research. Here is a brief list of some of the other major differences:

• Goals. While all research seeks to generate new knowledge, this imperative is the main driving force behind fundamental research, while applied research aims to solve specific problems that ultimately have beneficial, practical implications.
• Paradigms. The insights generated from fundamental research provide developments to theory and conceptualization of the world around us, rather than solve specific problems in industry, business, or other more practical fields.
• Funding. Organizations that financially support research fall into two main categories: universities and non-profit entities that seek out new theoretical insights through fundamental research, and private entities and governmental agencies that fund research for practical implications.
• Outcomes. Stakeholders supporting fundamental research are more interested in developing theoretical frameworks and conceptual models to expand scientific knowledge over producing immediately tangible results through practical research.
• Deliverables. Fundamental research is more often found in research papers and academic presentations, while research for practical implications might be put to use right away in new medical treatments, technologies, and services.

Ultimately, the distinction between applied and fundamental research will inform why research is conducted, how it is designed, and for what purposes it will be used. Researchers should keep in mind what sort of research they are pursuing as it will guide their research process.