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What does a Research Institute do?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Research institutes are specially organized entities that focus on conducting investigative and informational research on a specific topic. A research institute may be privately funded or endowed by a business or group of businesses, non-profit organizations, grassroots citizens associations or institutions of higher learning. In all its incarnations, the purpose of the research institute is to increase the bank of knowledge available about the specific subject as well as broaden the possibilities of how to utilize that knowledge to best advantage.

It is not unusual for a research institute to focus on some aspect of modern health care. The research effort may involve medical research that is centered on a specific disease or related group of diseases. The medical research may involve clinical trials on newly developed medications in order to identify the primary benefits as well as possible side effects at different dosage ranges. A medically based research institute may also promote continued research into the development of new treatments for health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and different forms of cancer.

Scientific research institutes usually have extensive laboratories.
Scientific research institutes usually have extensive laboratories.

There are also research opportunities that seek to understand different aspects of human behavior. For example, a research institute may choose to study and organize data regarding the buying habits of consumers that live within a given geographical location, are of a specific gender or age, or within a given economic bracket. Businesses sometimes underwrite the cost of this type of research as a means of developing marketing strategies that will allow them to increase their market shares within specific niche markets.

Research institutes might teach as part of their research programs.
Research institutes might teach as part of their research programs.

Scientific research can also be the main focus of a research institute. Within this application, the institute may gather and study clinical data that relates to specific phenomena within a given field of science such as botany, or zoology. The efforts of a research institute that pursues the collection and assimilation of this type of data is often helpful in understanding the impact of environmental changes on life on earth as well as discover ways to possibly reverse or at least minimize negative factors that may be present.

Research institutes may revolve around medical research geared towards a specific disease or group of diseases.
Research institutes may revolve around medical research geared towards a specific disease or group of diseases.

When it comes to the operation of a research institute connected with a college or university, just about any type of ongoing study is possible. Some university research programs focus on historical figures or eras, some area of science, physical or mental health, or the environment. Some universities establish research institutes that explore culture phenomena such as the impact of religion or politics on the mindset of people living within a specific nation or area of the world.

At its core, the function of any research institute is to gather together and analyze currently available data, engage in experimentation based on theories inspired by the analysis and report the outcomes of those experiments to interested parties. As a result, the institute not only makes the collected data accessible but also helps to make it more useful to those who have an interest in the subject matter under consideration.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including InfoBloom, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including InfoBloom, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon348694

I am not sure who can help, but here goes. I have earned my Master's degree in two fields (Clinical Counseling/Psychology and Addiction). This was more for life or death for me. You see, I grew from the most extreme experiences a little mind could handle, and so I developed Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder but honestly struggled with Dissociative Personalities.

Recently, I have been unable to dissociate anymore; however, this has left me dysfunctional and almost mute verbally due to all my parts being present. It's crushing me and my life.

However, I believe this to be a phenomenon to science and would love to be researched, while there is still time before I am psychotropically medicated to the point of mind-death. Not sure if this will end up anywhere, but I am at my wit's end. -- Eve W., Maine

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    • Scientific research institutes usually have extensive laboratories.
      By: 夢見る詩人
      Scientific research institutes usually have extensive laboratories.
    • Research institutes might teach as part of their research programs.
      By: kasto
      Research institutes might teach as part of their research programs.
    • Research institutes may revolve around medical research geared towards a specific disease or group of diseases.
      By: Darren Baker
      Research institutes may revolve around medical research geared towards a specific disease or group of diseases.