Applied ResearchResearch Methodology
Prepared By
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Manu Melwin JoyAssistant Professor
Ilahia School of Management Studies
Kerala, India.Phone – 9744551114
Mail – [email protected]
Applied research
• Applied research is a form of systematic inquiry involving the practical application of science. It accesses and uses some part of the research communities' (the academia's) accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, for a specific, often state-, business-, or client-driven purpose.
Applied research
• “Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society, or an industrial/business organisation, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a theory” (Kothari, 2008, p.3).
Applied research
• Since applied research focuses on taking the results of scientific research and utilizing it directly in real world situations, those who work in this line of research tend to be more concerned with the external validity of their work.
Applied research
• External validity refers to the extent that scientific findings can be generalized to other populations. Researchers don't just want to know if the results of their experiments apply to the participants in their studies. They want these results to also apply to larger populations outside of the lab.
Applied research
• "Because applied research investigates realistic problems, applied researchers are often concerned with the external validity of their studies. This means that they attempt to observe behaviors that can be applied to real-life situations," explains Dawn M. McBride in The Process of Research in Psychology. "
Examples• A few examples of applied research in psychology include:– Investigating which treatment
approach is the most effective for reducing anxiety
– Researching which strategies work best to motivate workers
– Studying different keyboard designs to determine which is the most efficient and ergonomic.
– Analyzing what type of prompts will inspire people to volunteer their time to charities
Examples• The following are examples for applied research:– A study into the ways of improving
the levels of customer retention for Wall-Mart.
– An investigation into the ways of improving employee motivation in Marriot Hotel, Hyde Park.
– Development of strategies to introduce change in Starbucks global supply-chain management with the view on cost reduction.
– A study into the ways of fostering creative deviance amongst employees without compromising respect for authority.
Solving real life problems• What are some examples of how applied research is used to solve real-world problems?– A hospital might conduct applied
research on how to prepare patients for certain types of surgical procedures.
– A business might hire an applied psychologist to assess how to design a workplace console to maximize efficiency and productivity while minimizing worker fatigue and error.
– An organization might hire an applied researcher to determine how to select employees that are best suited for certain positions within the company.
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