Questions:
How is basic research different from applied research? Use an example of a hypothetical study to illustrate your point.
Discuss and distinguish the three different, nonscientific ways of learning about the world around you (explained in the PowerPoint). Share examples of each from your own experiences and discuss one to two limitations related to learning about the world in this way.
Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research (give at least four comparisons). Discuss possible strengths and limitations of each type of research (give at least three of each)
Basic research and applied research
Based on purpose or utility, a research approach can either be basic or applied. While basic research aims at expanding knowledge by creating new theories and modifying existing ones, applied research is focused on providing practical solutions to specific problems by analyzing empirical evidence. There are several meeting and departure points for these approaches, and it is pertinent for every researcher to understand them effectively. Applied research is a research methodology that creates practical solutions for specific problems while basic research is an approach to research that seeks to expand knowledge in a field of study.
part in the modern world. It could be said that gene editing, and more specifically, designer babies, would encourage social standards regarding beauty to continue and get worse. Women are under more pressure to look a certain way to fit in and conform to the body standard at the time (Mazur, 2010). One year, blue eyes may be the standard, then it may change to brown in a few years. This is a similar case with body shape. According to an investigation conducted in 2007, 90% of all woman aged 15-64 around the world would like to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance (Calogero, Boroughs and Thompson, 2007).This shows that technology that allows you to change your child’s appearance will potentially be used by parents, based on these social standards. As will be demonstrated in this essay, there are also consequences of using this technology that impact the child on which they are being used on. Robert Sparrow of Monash University argues in his 2018 paper on gene editing (Sparrow, 2019) of the obsolescence of ‘designer babies’. He contends that when a child is given enhancements at birth, they will “rapidly go out of date” and “Sooner or later, every modified child will find him or her- self to be ‘yesterday’s child”. With this, he is making the point that, just as fashion becomes obsolete as the years go by, genetic traits that are considered ‘attractive’ will soon lose their flair. When this does happen, the child will feel inadequate and will no longer have what society considers the ‘best trait’. Furthermore, different qualities may be considered more attractive in the modern world, so gene editing would further homogenise and universalise our understanding of beauty, attractiveness and what is considered ‘good’. One thing that makes the human race so interesting is the diversity of people. This homogenisation of the idea of beauty will eliminate this diversity.