DAEL WOLFLE 



vation of the scientist is one such criterion. When research is 

 intended to add to fundamental scientific knowledge, it is called 

 basic research. When it is intended to solve a practical prob- 

 lem, it is called applied research. But the results must also be 

 considered. Some research turns out to be of far-ranging im- 

 portance, and is therefore called fundamental or basic. Other 

 research discovers something of practical usefulness, and is 

 called applied. These labels may be used regardless of the sci- 

 entist's purpose or motivation. A commercial chemist may seek 

 means of improving the drying qualities of a paint, and in the 

 course of his work discover something fundamental about 

 molecular layers. Was he engaged in basic or applied research? 



Another criterion sometimes used is the freedom of the 

 investigator to follow his own ideas and the leads that turn up 

 in the course of his work. If he is completely free in this respect, 

 his work is sometimes called basic research. But the man who 

 seeks a solution to a practical problem, for example a problem in 

 medicine, may have equal freedom to follow his own ideas and 

 research leads. 



Sometimes the quality of the work gets involved in the 

 distinction. If the results are broadly important, they are likely 

 to be called fundamental or basic. (If the results are trivial, 

 the work is not called applied, but neither is it likely to be called 

 basic.) This usage further complicates the problem of distin- 

 guishing between basic and applied research. 



Despite these difficulties, it is often desirable for statistical 

 and accounting purposes to distinguish basic from applied re- 

 search. In explaining the importance of basic research to boards 

 of directors, to members of Congress, or to the public, it is 

 obviously necessary to have some common understanding of 

 what is being talked about. The definition of the National 

 Science Foundation uses the scientist's motivation as the cri- 

 terion: "Basic research is that type of research which is directed 



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