Applied science is the use of the
scientific method and knowledge obtained via conclusions from the method to attain practical goals.
It includes a broad range of disciplines such as
engineering and
medicine. Applied science is often contrasted with
basic science, which is focused on advancing scientific theories and laws that explain and predict events in the natural world.
Applied science can also apply
formal science, such as
statistics
Statistics (from German language, German: ''wikt:Statistik#German, Statistik'', "description of a State (polity), state, a country") is the discipline that concerns the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of ...
and
probability theory, as in
epidemiology.
Genetic epidemiology
Genetic epidemiology is the study of the role of genetic factors in determining health and disease in families and in populations, and the interplay of such genetic factors with environmental factors. Genetic epidemiology seeks to derive a statist ...
is an applied science applying both biological and statistical methods.
Applied research
Applied research is the practical application of
science. It accesses and uses accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, for a specific
state-,
business-, or
client-driven purpose. Applied Research can be better understood in any area when contrasting it with, basic, or pure, research. Basic geography research strives to create new theories and methods that aid in the explanation of the processes that shape the spatial structure of physical or human environments. Rather, applied research utilizes the already existing geographical theories and methods to comprehend and address particular empirical issues.
Applied research usually has specific commercial objectives related to products, procedures, or services. The comparison of pure research and applied research provides a basic framework and direction for businesses to follow.
Applied research deals with solving practical problems and generally employs
empirical
Empirical evidence for a proposition is evidence, i.e. what supports or counters this proposition, that is constituted by or accessible to sense experience or experimental procedure. Empirical evidence is of central importance to the sciences and ...
methodologies. Because applied research resides in the messy real world, strict research protocols may need to be relaxed. For example, it may be impossible to use a
random sample. Thus, transparency in the
methodology is crucial. Implications for interpretation of results brought about by relaxing an otherwise strict canon of methodology should also be considered.
Moreover, this type of research method applies natural sciences to human conditions:
* Action Research: aids firms in identifying workable solutions to issues influencing them.
* Evaluation Research: researchers examine available data to assist clients in making wise judgements.
* Research and development: generate new goods or services that will satisfy the demands of a target market.
Since applied research has a provisional close-to-the-problem and close-to-the-data orientation, it may also use a more provisional
conceptual framework
A conceptual framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts. It can be applied in different categories of work where an overall picture is needed. It is used to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas. Strong conceptu ...
such as working hypotheses or pillar questions. The
OECD's
Frascati Manual The Frascati Manual is a document setting forth the methodology for collecting statistics about research and development. The Manual was prepared and published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Contents
The Frascati M ...
describes applied research as one of the three forms of research, along with
basic research &
experimental development.
Due to its practical focus, applied research information will be found in the literature associated with individual disciplines.
Branches
Applied science works as a system that branches into other fields of work that go more in depth of the system. Applied research is a method of problem solving and also practical in areas of science such as its presence in applied psychology. Applied psychology uses human behavior to grab information to be able locate a main focus in an area that can contribute to finding a resolution. More specific, this study is applied in the area of criminal psychology. With the knowledge obtained of applied research, studies are conducted on criminals alongside their behavior to apprehend them. Moreover, the research extends to criminal investigations. Under this category, research methods demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and social research designs used in criminological research. These reach more branches along the procedure towards the investigations, alongside laws, policy, and criminological theory.
Engineering fields include
thermodynamics,
heat transfer,
fluid mechanics,
statics
Statics is the branch of classical mechanics that is concerned with the analysis of force and torque (also called moment) acting on physical systems that do not experience an acceleration (''a''=0), but rather, are in static equilibrium with ...
,
dynamics,
mechanics of materials
The field of strength of materials, also called mechanics of materials, typically refers to various methods of calculating the stresses and strains in structural members, such as beams, columns, and shafts. The methods employed to predict the re ...
,
kinematics
Kinematics is a subfield of physics, developed in classical mechanics, that describes the Motion (physics), motion of points, Physical object, bodies (objects), and systems of bodies (groups of objects) without considering the forces that cause ...
,
electromagnetism,
materials science,
earth sciences,
engineering physics.
Medical sciences, for instance
medical microbiology,
pharmaceutical research and development and
clinical virology, are applied sciences that apply
biology and
chemistry
Chemistry is the science, scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the Chemical element, elements that make up matter to the chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions ...
toward medical knowledge and invention.
In education
In Canada, the Netherlands and other places the
Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) is sometimes equivalent to the
Bachelor of Engineering, and is classified as a professional degree. This is based on the age of the school where applied science used to include boiler making, surveying and engineering. There are also Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Child Studies. The BASc tends to focus more on the application of the engineering sciences. In Australia and New Zealand, this degree is awarded in various fields of study and is considered a highly specialized professional degree.
In
the United Kingdom's educational system, Applied Science refers to a suite of "vocational" science qualifications that run alongside "traditional"
General Certificate of Secondary Education or
A-Level
The A-Level (Advanced Level) is a subject-based qualification conferred as part of the General Certificate of Education, as well as a school leaving qualification offered by the educational bodies in the United Kingdom and the educational aut ...
Sciences. Applied Science courses generally contain more coursework (also known as portfolio or internally assessed work) compared to their traditional counterparts. These are an evolution of the GNVQ qualifications that were offered up to 2005. These courses regularly come under scrutiny and are due for review following the Wolf Report 2011; however, their merits are argued elsewhere.
In the United States,
The College of William & Mary offers an
undergraduate minor as well as
Master of Science and
Doctor of Philosophy degrees in "applied science." Courses and research cover varied fields including
neuroscience,
optics,
materials science and engineering,
nondestructive testing
Nondestructive testing (NDT) is any of a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and technology industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage.
The terms nondestructive examination (NDE), n ...
, and
nuclear magnetic resonance.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a Bachelor of Science in applied science, an online completion Bachelor of Science in applied science and a Master of Applied Science. Course work is centered on science, agriculture and natural resources with a wide range of options including ecology, food genetics, entrepreneurship, economics, policy, animal science and plant science. In New York City, the Bloomberg administration awarded the consortium of Cornell-Technion $100 million in City capital to construct the universities' proposed Applied Sciences campus on Roosevelt Island.
See also
*
Basic research
*
Exact sciences
*
Hard and soft science
*
Invention
An invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition, idea or process. An invention may be an improvement upon a machine, product, or process for increasing efficiency or lowering cost. It may also be an entirely new concept. If an i ...
*
Secondary research
Secondary research involves the summary, collation and/or synthesis of existing research. Secondary research is contrasted with primary research in that primary research involves the generation of data, whereas secondary research uses primary res ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Applied Science
Applied disciplines
Branches of science