Research is used to test the validity of instruments.
Research comprises `` creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge , including knowledge of humans , culture and society , and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications . ''. knowledge. knowledge. It is used to establish or confirm facts , reaffirm the results of previous work , solve new or existing problems , support theorems , or develop new theories .. theories. theory. A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field .. Research projects can be used to develop further knowledge on a topic , or in the example of a school research project , they can be used to further a student 's research prowess to prepare them for future jobs or reports .. knowledge. knowledge. To test the validity of instruments , procedures , or experiments , research may replicate elements of prior projects or the project as a whole .. The primary purposes of basic research -LRB- as opposed to applied research -RRB- are documentation , discovery , interpretation , or the research and development -LRB- R&D -RRB- of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge .. knowledge. knowledge. basic research. basic research. applied research. applied research. documentation. documentation. discovery. Discovery ( observation ). interpretation. interpretation ( philosophy ). research and development. research and development. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies , which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences .. epistemologies. epistemology. humanities. humanities. There are several forms of research  : scientific , humanities , artistic , economic , social , business , marketing , practitioner research , life , technological , etc. .. scientific. scientific. humanities. humanities. artistic. artistic. economic. economic. social. social research. business. business. marketing. marketing research. practitioner research. practitioner research. life. life. technological. technological