fundamental research

1 definition found

fundamental research - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Research \Re*search"\ (r?-s?rch"), n. [Pref. re- + search: cf
     OF. recerche, F. recherche.]
     1. Diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or
        principles; laborious or continued search after truth; as,
        researches of human wisdom; to research a topic in the
        library; medical research.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The dearest interests of parties have frequently
              been staked on the results of the researches of
              antiquaries.                          --Macaulay.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Systematic observation of phenomena for the purpose of
        learning new facts or testing the application of theories
        to known facts; -- also called scientific research. This
        is the research part of the phrase "research and
        development" (R&D).
  
     Note: The distinctive characteristic of scientific research
           is the maintenance of records and careful control or
           observation of conditions under which the phenomena are
           studied so that others will be able to reproduce the
           observations. When the person conducting the research
           varies the conditions beforehand in order to test
           directly the effects of changing conditions on the
           results of the observation, such investigation is
           called experimental research or experimentation or
           experimental science; it is often conducted in a
           laboratory. If the investigation is conducted with a
           view to obtaining information directly useful in
           producing objects with commercial or practical utility,
           the research is called applied research.
           Investigation conducted for the primary purpose of
           discovering new facts about natural phenomena, or to
           elaborate or test theories about natural phenomena, is
           called basic research or fundamental research.
           Research in fields such as astronomy, in which the
           phenomena to be observed cannot be controlled by the
           experimenter, is called observational research.
           Epidemiological research is a type of observational
           research in which the researcher applies statistical
           methods to analyse patterns of occurrence of disease
           and its association with other phenomena within a
           population, with a view to understanding the origins or
           mode of transmission of the disease.
           [PJC]
  
     Syn: Investigation; examination; inquiry; scrutiny.
          [1913 Webster]