It isn’t always easy to answer whether science is actually useful. Scientists are urged to pursue their curiosity. However, this may result in research that is focused on a variety of subjects, some of that may not be directly beneficial to society. For instance, a major part of science is creating theories and making predictions that can be tested. These discoveries are often used to design new technologies, like medical devices, drugs and renewable energy sources.
To be of value, science should also address issues and problems that affect the well-being of humans. This requires collaboration with stakeholders to identify their needs, formulate clear goals and create an effective plan to meet those needs. Many research initiatives lack this type of collaboration and instead, they focus on advancing knowledge with no direct connection to society. Furthermore, the impact of research is often not assessed and tracked effectively.
A variety of strategies have been devised to generate usable research such as translational ecology (TE), which emphasizes the need for researchers to actively consider and respond to the research context. TE emphasizes the importance of involving the end users in a meaningful manner throughout the research process and encouraging decision-making based on learning that include adaptive management.
Students often have a difficult time to choose a topic that is both interesting as well as scholarly, especially when professors impose time limits. The list of basic science research topics will help students select a topic to impress their teachers and contribute valuable information to scientific community.
