Research and development facts for kids
Research and development (R&D) is all about discovering new things and making existing things better. It's like a big adventure where people explore new ideas and try to solve problems. Businesses, governments, and schools all do R&D.
The main goal of R&D is to gain new knowledge. This knowledge can then be used to create new products. It can also help find new and better ways of doing things. Think of it as inventing the future!
R&D usually involves three main types of activities:
- Basic research
- Applied research
- Development
Contents
What is Basic Research?
Basic research is like exploring just for the sake of learning. Scientists do this kind of research to get new knowledge. They don't have a specific product or use in mind. For example, studying how a certain type of cell works is basic research. It helps us understand the world better.
What is Applied Research?
Applied research is different. It has a clear goal or purpose. People do applied research to solve a specific problem. They might want to create a new product or improve an old one. For instance, researching how to make a battery last longer is applied research. It aims for a definite outcome.
What is Development?
Development is about taking ideas and making them real. It's where new features are added to a product. It's also about making a product work better. Often, developers try many ideas. They keep testing until they find the very best solution. This step turns research into something useful.
Why is R&D Important?
R&D is super important for progress. It helps companies create cool new gadgets. It also helps doctors find new medicines. Governments use R&D to improve public services. Without R&D, we wouldn't have many of the amazing things we use today. It drives innovation and helps societies grow.
Who Spends on R&D?
Many different groups invest in R&D. Companies spend money to develop new products. This helps them stay competitive. Governments fund research for public good. Universities also do a lot of research. For example, in 2015, the car company Volkswagen spent a lot on R&D. They wanted to make their cars even better.
R&D and New Inventions
One cool result of R&D is intellectual property. This means new ideas or inventions can be protected. A patent is a type of intellectual property. It gives the inventor special rights to their invention. This encourages people to keep inventing. In Europe, R&D is sometimes called "research and technical development" (RTD).
Images for kids
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A research and development center for Mercedes Benz in North America.
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See also
In Spanish: Investigación y desarrollo para niños
