Which type of research aims to advance knowledge without immediate commercial applications?

Basic research is designed primarily to enhance our understanding of fundamental principles and phenomena without a direct focus on practical applications or commercialization. It aims to expand the existing body of knowledge and often addresses theoretical questions and explores new concepts. This type of research often serves as a foundation for future applied research, which usually seeks to solve specific problems or meet immediate needs in commercial or real-world contexts.

In contrast, applied research aims to address specific practical issues, while development research is typically focused on creating new products or technologies based on the findings of basic research. Commercial research is oriented towards market opportunities and profitability. These distinctions clarify why basic research is characterized by a lack of immediate commercial intent, as its primary goal is the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake rather than serving an immediate economic purpose.