1. APPLIED RESEARCH
Unlike basic research, applied research aims aims to address and answer real-world problems.
Importantly, applied research is, like basic research, based on previous theory. Examples of applied
research topics include persuasion, eyewitness memory, clinical treatments of psychological disorders,
behavioral interventions for children with autism (see Applied Behavior Analysis, including our
department's ABA degree program), decision making, etc.
Examples:
Avery, D., Alexander, J., Ewing, H., & Taylor, M. (2010). National comprehensive model in conquering
infant mortality health disparities among African Americans. Unpublished manuscript, Doctor of Health
Sciences, A.T. Still University, Arizona.
Bagnol, L., Alexander, J., Ewing, H., & Chu, D. (2011). Indigos in Hawai`i: A phenomenological study
of the experience of growing up with spiritual intelligence. Pacific Health Dialog, 17(1), 83-98.
Baluh, L., Wallace, L., Alexander, J., & Powers, J. (2011). Primum non nocere: Evaluation of care
provided by prehospital providers for non-traumatic chest pain. Unpublished manuscript, Doctor of
Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, Arizona.
Bowdel, S., Alexander, J., Ewing, H., & Rogers, T. (2010) Systematic review of the efficacy of
Topiramate, Naltrexone and Acamprosate for the treatment of alcoholism. Unpublished manuscript,
Doctor of Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, Arizona.
Britton, J., Wallace, L., Alexander, J., & Christensen, L. (2011). The effects of manufacturer first-fit
algorithms on patient hearing aid benefit and satisfaction. Unpublished manuscript, Doctor of Health
Sciences, A.T. Still University, Arizona.
BASIC RESEARCH
Basic research is used to explore the fundamental bases of behavior, without regard to how those bases
are manifested in the real world. Basic research aims to explain, predict, and describe fundamental bases
of behavior. For example, a popular memory procedure is to have people respond to words on a computer
screen as fast as possible (e.g., saying the word, pressing a key). This can tell researchers about how
information in your memory is linked to other information. Does this ever happen in real life? Outside of
a really weird video game, probably not. Is it important? Yes, it can tell us a great deal about the
processes of memory. This procedure is just one example but in fact, much of psychological research is
basic research.
Examples:
A. the development of new plastics that can be recycled.
B. the design of new batteries for electric cars.
C. the study of natural compounds in sea animals to look for new molecules that can be used for
medicine.
D. the study of the relationship between the amount of automobile emissions gases in the atmosphere and
the decomposition of atmospheric ozone.
E. the study of the composition of the atom