Basic research, which is also called pure or fundamental research, is the type of research conducted to increase knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles without an immediate practical application in mind.
It is conducted to expand the knowledge or understanding of various phenomena, and it is mostly theoretical. Meaning, it usually does not have immediate practical application in mind. On the contrary, its fundamental purposes are to:
- To explore theories, concepts, or phenomena
- To expand scientific or academic knowledge
- To lay the foundation for applied or practical research