Resources – International Research Centre

Methodology of the research in the IRC

There are two key research methods would be used in IRC and they are (1) Basic or Fundamental (or horizon scanning or Blue-Sky) Research and (2) Applied or Action (or Prove of Concept or Strategic) Research

Basic or Fundamental Research

Basic or Fundamental Research is the first stage of the Applied or Action Research and both types of research methodology would be used in the IRC to explore, understand, form and describe the problem in some cases solutions According to https://www.formpl.us/blog/basic-research, basic or fundamental research is a type of research approach that is aimed at gaining a better understanding of a subject, phenomenon, or basic law of nature. This type of research is primarily focused on the advancement of knowledge rather than solving a specific problem, but it would be useful in improving understanding and supporting solutions to a problem. It is a major means of generating new ideas, principles, and theories. Typically, basic research can be divided as exploratory (interpretative grounded theory approach) research and descriptive (explanatory) research.

Exploratory or interpretative grounded theory approach research: It is the process of investigating a problem that has not been studied or thoroughly investigated in the past and conducted to have a better understanding of the existing problem (what, how and why), but usually doesn’t lead to a conclusive result. This has been classified into primary and secondary research methods. The process of conducting research tends to be more expensive difficult when dealing with a problem that has not been deeply investigated before and has no conclusive results.
Descriptive or explanatory research: It is a type of research that describes a population, situation, or phenomenon that is being studied and focuses on answering the questions what, how, when, and where questions to accurately describe a research problem. It is very useful when conducting research whose aim is to identify characteristics, frequencies, trends, correlations, and categories of research problem, before investigating why it exists in the first place. These types of research are classified into different types according to the kind of approach that is used in the research. These types include Descriptive-survey (with or without normative aspect), Descriptive-status, Descriptive-analysis, Descriptive classification, Descriptive-comparative and Correlative Survey.

Applied Research (Problem Solving Action Research, Prove of Concept Evaluation, & Evidence based Innovation)

Applied research is a type of research methodology that would be used in the IRC to explore and describe bottom-up view and to provide answers to specific questions or seeks to solve a defined problem or provide innovative solutions to issues and risks affecting an individual, group, or society. This includes identifying a problem, developing a research hypothesis and goes ahead to test these hypotheses via an experiment or field studies, mostly employs empirical methods. It is typically a follow-up research design that further investigates the findings of pure or basic research to validate these findings and apply them to create innovative solutions. It is bottom-up approach to influence policy/technology via scientific understanding of system behaviour with the top-down understanding of how others force behavioural change through fundamental science, technology, and policy. Advantages of Applied Research include its validity. It is unbiased in nature because it evaluates empirical evidence to arrive at valid research outcomes. It employs carefully mapped-out procedures, and this makes it a more valid research approach. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods are used in applied research to gather empirical evidence that is further subjected to experimentation to arrive at valid research outcomes. The focus group interviews, questionnaire surveys, observation, audits, and reviews are popular form of data collection methods in applied research. It is useful and helps individuals and organizations to find solutions to specific problems. There are three types of applied research.

Evaluation and Prove of Concept Research that analyses existing information about research subject or proving/disproving concept to arrive at objective research outcomes or reach informed decisions.
Problems Solving and Action Research is set on providing practical solutions to specific problems by pointing in the right directions by a process of reflective inquiry that is limited to specific contexts and situational in nature.
Evidence and Innovation is focused on developing new products and services based on the needs of target problem or product by gathering information on needs and finding ways to improve on an existing or create new products that satisfy the identified needs.

Applied research and basic or fundamental research are two common methods of inquiry, based on purpose or utility. However, there are key differences between these research approaches, and these would be clearly outlined below:

Definition of Applied research is a type of research that is aimed at the practical application of science in order to solve practical problems. On the other hand, Basic research is a type of research that is aimed at expanding knowledge rather than solving problems.
Applied research is practical approach, descriptive in nature. And tests these theories in order to solve a problem. Basic research is theoretical in nature explores and generates theories that may be abstract.
Scope of applied research is limited, and it focuses on specific contexts with the aim of providing a solution to an identified problem. Basic research is universal, and it can focus on diverse or multiple contexts.

Stages and Technology/Policy Readiness Levels in Research Scoping, Development, & Delivery.

The aim, objective and the methodology of a research project are determined by the nature of the problem and intended options. Combination top-down reviews, and bottom-up studies done in Problem Formation stage (stage 1) with the help of stakeholders’ consultation and involvement, would help to determine the ‘Technology and/or Policy Readiness Level (up to TPRL 3), to establish basic principles/needs and formulate concept and prove the validity of concept. Similarly, the other stages would help to achieve relevant the ‘Technology/Policy Readiness Level.

Problem Formation Stage with Monitoring and Reviews:

Risk Assessment and Prioritization Stage with bottom-up research

Option Appraisal and Selection Stage with Innovation and Development

Risk Management Case Study Stage to demonstrate actual completed and qualified Technology or Policy System (TRL 8) and prove it competitiveness in operational environment (TRL 9). This includes application of management strategies, monitoring, surveying, reporting. At this stage, the Think-tank activities would take place.