The Importance of Useful Science

The goal of a useful science is to contribute to the general store of knowledge. This is a primary objective 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 absence of utility (for example, in cases where a study has been improperly translated into practical applications).

Pure knowledge should not be suppressed because of its relevance. In fact, practical issues can motivate to conduct new research (as the case in Michael Faraday’s electrical experiments, which were triggered by his interest in lightning).

We also know that applications for technology can be derived from different sources. For instance the medical mission to Easter Island focused on the population’s unique resistance to tetanus. However a later transfer of soil samples from that location to Ayerst Pharmaceuticals spurred further investigations into natural antimicrobials.

These examples demonstrate that the distinction between pure’ and ‘applied’ research is not true. A more productive criterion for judging research is to encourage the development of a wide range of practical applications that could be drawn from research findings and to improve the skills of scientists so that they can recognise potential usefulness in their research. This is the main goal of the field of translational ecology which aims at transforming the paradigm of science as applied and fundamental by explicitly involving all stakeholders in the creation and use of scientific knowledge. 2017).

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