It is the intention of useful science to contribute to the accumulation of general knowledge. This is the primary goal of all research journals, but it’s not the sole objective: a good paper could be misinterpreted, or even be erroneously judged not suitable for publication due to the lack of value (for example, in cases where research has been improperly translated into practical mpgpress.com/why-you-should-pursue-a-degree-in-physics applications).
Pure knowledge should not be suppressed by the excuse of relevance. In fact, practical questions can spark new pure research. (For instance Michael Faraday’s electrical research were inspired by his interest about the lightning).
We also know that technological applications originate from a variety of sources. For instance, a medical expedition to Easter Island focused on the people’s unique resistance to tetanus. However, an additional transfer of soil samples from that site to Ayerst Pharmaceuticals spurred further investigations into natural antimicrobials.
These examples prove that the distinction between ‘pure’ and ‘applied’ research is not true. It is more beneficial to encourage the development and implementation of a range of practical applications that result from research results. This can help improve the capabilities of scientists in recognizing the potential of their research. This is the key objective of the field of translational ecology which seeks to change the basic/applied paradigm of science by explicitly involving stakeholders in the generation and use of scientific knowledge. 2017).