Usefulness of research

Question 1

Usefulness

Answer 1

When research has practical applications to real life

Question 2

Why should research be useful?

Answer 2

Attracts funding for research if applications are promised
Improves reputation of psychology in society if direct positive applications are made
Justifies cost of research and time

Question 3

But why would research not need to be useful?

Answer 3

Research that is done purely for interest isn’t done, may be useful in the future?
Just because research is useful doesn’t mean it could be used for good
If only doing useful research becomes priority it may lessen importance of ethics

Question 4

When is psychological research useful?

Answer 4

The findings can be generalised to the target population (sample represents target population in terms of age, gender etc)
There are real world applications
If the findings are accurate (valid) to reality
If the research is ecologically valid