grunnrannsóknir

Grunnrannsóknir is the Icelandic term for fundamental or basic research. They refer to systematic studies intended to acquire new knowledge about the underlying principles and mechanisms of phenomena, without a specific practical application in mind at the outset. The aim is to increase understanding and to build theories, models, and explanations that can support future inquiry and innovation.

Scope and methods: Grunnrannsóknir span natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. They are often theoretical or conceptual, but can also involve empirical work, data analysis, experiments, simulations, and model building. The work is typically driven by curiosity and a commitment to rigorous methodology, peer review, and dissemination through scholarly publications.

Relation to other research: Grunnrannsóknir sit on a continuum with applied research and development. While the primary criterion is the advancement of knowledge, findings can enable or inform future applications, technologies, or policies. Projects may be exploratory, long-term, or foundational, and sometimes yield insights with unforeseen practical use.

Funding, evaluation, and dissemination: Public funding bodies, universities, and research councils commonly support grunnrannsóknir. Evaluation emphasizes scholarly impact, methodological contribution, and advancement of theoretical understanding, often measured by publications, citations, reproducibility, and data sharing. Results are communicated through journals, conferences, and educational materials, with an emphasis on accessibility and transparency.

Impact: Across disciplines, grunnrannsóknir underpin progress by establishing the conceptual foundations for later innovations and policy developments, highlighting the value of knowledge pursued for its own sake as a public good.