The primary purposes of [[basic research]] (as opposed to [[applied research]]) are [[documentation]], [[Discovery (observation)|discovery]], [[interpretation (philosophy)|interpretation]], and the [[research and development]] (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on [[epistemology|epistemologies]], which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. There are several forms of research: [[Science|scientific]], [[humanities]], [[artistic]], economic, [[social research|social]], business, [[marketing research|marketing]], [[practitioner research]], life, [[technological]], etc. The scientific study of research practices is known as [[metascience|meta-research]].
A '''researcher''' is a person engagedwho in conductingconducts research, possiblyespecially recognizedone aswho aninvestigates [[Occupationsystematically (humanto activity)|occupation]]establish byfacts aor formalprinciples.<ref>{{Cite [[jobweb |date=2024-10-03 |title]]=Definition of RESEARCHER |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/researcher |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> In order to be a social researcher or a [[social scientist]], one should have enormous knowledge of subjects related to social science that they are specialized in. Similarly, in order to be a natural science researcher, the person should have knowledge of fields related to natural science ([[physics]], [[chemistry]], [[biology]], [[astronomy]], [[zoology]] and so on). [[Professional association]]s provide one pathway to mature in the research profession.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sha |first=Mandy |date=2019-05-14 |title=Professional Association and Pathways to Leadership in Our Profession |url=https://www.surveypractice.org/article/8192-professional-association-and-pathways-to-leadership-in-our-profession |journal=Survey Practice |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=1–6 |doi=10.29115/SP-2018-0039 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
