Question

Basic research is more likely to be funded by the federal rather than state and local government because:

a) Federal government has limited funds
b) State and local governments prioritize practical research
c) Federal government has broader research interests
d) State and local governments lack research expertise

Answer 1

The federal government tends to fund basic research because it has broader interests and focuses on areas where private investment is scarce (c). This contrasts with local governments, which prioritize practical research with immediate community benefits.

Step-by-step explanation:

Basic research is more likely to be funded by the federal government rather than state and local governments. This is because the federal government generally has broader research interests and discovers areas where private firms are less active. In contrast, state and local governments may prioritize more practical research that has immediate applications for their communities.

Additionally, federal funding for research can lead to cooperation between various institutions, spurring product innovation and the creation of new industries. Over time, the approach to research and development (R&D) funding has evolved, with an increase in industry-funded R&D and federal efforts to focus on areas that may not attract private investment.