Applied Research

Lately I have been dealing with researchers. Sometimes in meetings, sometimes over the phone, and some even on e-mail. In almost every case, they are requesting funding for their project. Some are very good projects, some are not.

There is what I term field researchers and there are techno researchers. The difference is simple. Field researchers have gone out and collected data. Then in many cases, they have verified at least a portion of their findings in the field. Then there are techno researchers. They are usually looking for funding for computer models. Most are using data they receive from other people and in many cases they even question its value. This falls into the garbage in, garbage out category. Rarely, have the techno researchers field-tested their finding. They assume because the computer ‘said’ this is what will happen – that is what will happen. No verification.

I always ask one standard question. The way this question is answer often tells whether they are interested in getting money or in getting their research completed. The question is, “How will your findings be interpreted and applied by people on the ground, people who are actually doing the work?”

This question has drawn some unusual answers. But, think about it – it makes sense. How can you make sure two or more people looking at the same thing will interpret it the same way, and reach the same conclusion? Here is a simple example. Below are two pictures. In each picture, there is one person from a large metropolitan area who has not quite adapted to rural life. Can you pick them out?














Research needs to be this simple.