About the Theme

Basic sciences research is a systematic study directed towards greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena. Basic sciences research lays the foundation for advancement in knowledge that leads applications of sciences to problem-solving, occasionally as a result of unexpected discoveries. Pure basic sciences may also focus on refuting or supporting theories that explain how this world operates, what makes things happen, etc. It is the source of most new scientific ideas and ways of thinking about the world. Basic science research generates new ideas, principles and theories, which may not be immediately utilized but instead, form the basis to modern progress and development of different fields.

Most scientific progress made so far are the results of findings obtained through basic or curiosity driven research. Today’s computers for example, could not exist without the pure research in mathematics conducted over a century ago, for which there was no known practical application at that time. Pure research rarely helps practitioners directly with their everyday concerns. Nevertheless, it stimulates new ways of thinking about deviances that have the potential to revolutionize and dramatically improve how practitioners deal with a problem. A new idea or fundamental knowledge is not generated through pure basic sciences research alone but new knowledge could be built through it.

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