Quiz & Worksheet - Basic Research vs. Applied Research | Study.com - Free Printable

Let’s go through each question step by step to find the correct answers.

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Question 1: Applied research

Applied research is about solving real-world problems. It’s not just for fun or theory — it’s meant to be used in real life.

Let’s look at the options:

- ✔ Answers a real-world problem. → This matches what applied research does.
- ✘ Rarely occurs in psychology. → False — applied research is common in psychology (like therapy studies).
- ✘ Provides information that is not directly useful... → That’s basic research, not applied.
- ✘ Is research that produces a real object or item. → Not necessarily — it can be about behavior, systems, etc.
- ✘ Creates additional research for scientists to apply for. → That’s more like basic research.

✔ So, the correct answer for Question 1 is: Answers a real-world problem.

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Question 2: Basic research

Basic research is about learning for the sake of knowledge — not to fix something right away.

Options:

- ✔ Expands our knowledge and understanding. → Yes! That’s the goal of basic research.
- ✘ Focuses on purely intellectual or cognitive basics. → Too vague — basic research isn’t limited to “cognitive” stuff.
- ✘ Is introductory or beginner research. → No — it can be advanced; “basic” means foundational, not simple.
- ✘ Is useful in every, or nearly every, situation. → That’s too broad — basic research may not be immediately useful.
- ✘ Is our scientific understanding of the world. → Close, but that’s the *result*, not the definition. The goal is to expand knowledge.

✔ So, the correct answer for Question 2 is: Expands our knowledge and understanding.

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Question 3: Which is an example of applied psychological research?

Applied psychological research solves real-life issues using psychology.

Let’s check each option:

- ✔ Research measuring the level of impairment of driving skills with alcohol intoxication → This helps make laws, safety rules, or interventions — very real-world application.
- ✘ Research measuring the time it takes an axon to fire → That’s neuroscience/basic biology — not applied psych.
- ✘ Research involving the ‘high’ associated with gambling → Could be basic (understanding addiction) unless tied to treatment — but as written, it sounds descriptive, not applied.
- ✘ Research assessing the accuracy of personality measures → This is methodological — could be basic or applied, but often basic (improving tests).
- ✘ Research dealing with average cognitive and reflexive skills in the elderly → Sounds descriptive/basic — unless used for care plans, but not specified.

✔ The clearest example of applied research here is: Research measuring the level of impairment of driving skills with alcohol intoxication

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Final Answer:
1. Answers a real-world problem.
2. Expands our knowledge and understanding.
3. Research measuring the level of impairment of driving skills with alcohol intoxication