Final answer:
Applied research focuses on solving practical problems and developing useful materials. It involves translating findings from descriptive or experimental investigations into practical tools or solutions. It is different from experimental and descriptive investigations in terms of their goals and the translation of knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Applied research is different from experimental and descriptive investigations in several ways.
- Practical application: Applied research focuses on solving practical problems and developing useful materials or tools. For example, it may involve developing new medications or improving manufacturing processes. In contrast, experimental research involves testing hypotheses and trying to understand fundamental properties and processes, while descriptive investigations aim to observe and describe phenomena without manipulating variables.
- Translation: Applied research often takes the findings from descriptive or experimental investigations and applies them to real-world situations. It translates the knowledge gained from these investigations into practical tools or solutions.
- Theory vs. practice: While experimental and descriptive investigations focus on developing theories and understanding phenomena, applied research takes practical tools or materials and translates them into theoretical knowledge. It aims to create generalizable principles or theories based on practical observations and experiences.