Applied research is a systematic inquiry that applies scientific methods to solve immediate societal or organizational problems, distinguishing it from fundamental research which focuses on theoretical generalizations. It emphasizes external validity to ensure findings can be generalized beyond study participants to larger populations. Examples include studies on effective treatment for anxiety, improving customer retention, and workplace design for enhanced efficiency.

1. Applied Research
Research Methodology

2. Prepared By
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Manu Melwin Joy
Assistant Professor
Ilahia School of Management Studies
Kerala, India.
Phone – 9744551114
Mail – manu_melwinjoy@yahoo.com

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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. "

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.