Basic research
Experimental and theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge without a specific application in view. It consists of pure basic research and strategic basic research. Pure basic research is carried out without looking for long-term benefits other than the advancement of knowledge. Strategic basic research is directed to specified broad areas in the expectation of useful discoveries. It provides the broad base of knowledge necessary for the solution of recognised practical problems. (ABS definition). Basic research is conducted to address fundamental questions about the biological, behavioural and social mechanisms, which underlie wellness and disease.

Applied research
Original work undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge with a specific application in view. It is conducted either to determine possible uses for the findings of basic research or to determine new methods or ways of achieving some specific and predetermined objectives (ABS definition).

Development and evaluation research
Creates and assesses products (vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, prostheses or equipment), interventions (public or personal health services) and instruments of policy that improve on existing options (WHO definition).

Strategic research
Generates knowledge about specific health needs and problems. These may be conditions, risk factors or sources of inefficiency or inequality in health systems (WHO definition).

Investigator driven research
Also known as Researcher driven. Research that allows someone with a strong desire or bright idea to pursue it, whether it is perceived as a priority or not.

Priority driven research
Where there is a need to make a concerted medium to long term effort to address a specific question or issue

Clinical research
Research involving clinical patients or tissues samples from patients. It is undertaken to find better ways of identifying and caring for people in ill health. Has a more biological orientation than health services research.

Health policy and systems research
Research about health-related institutions and their role in shaping policy and improving implementation. Range of approaches includes: clarification of concepts and issues; data sets on systems performance; retrospective case studies; and prospective evaluations and experiments (WHO definition).

Health Services research
Research into health services to examine ways of improving delivery of health services, e.g. cost benefit studies of health programs. Has a more operational and economic orientation that clinical research.