Library Guides
You are asked to select research codes to help describe your thesis. We use the Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) codes which are a standard of classification used by groups such as the Marsden fund.
There are three types of classification: Type of activity, Field of research and Socio-economic objective. Only the type of activity and the field of research is required.
Type of activity
Research activity is categorised according to the four types of research effort:
Pure basic research is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge without looking for long term benefits other than the advancement of knowledge.
Strategic basic research is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge directed into specified broad areas in the expectation of practical discoveries. It provides the broad base of knowledge necessary for the solution of recognised practical problems.
Applied research is original work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge with a specific application in view. It is undertaken either to determine possible uses for the findings of basic research or to determine new ways of achieving some specific and predetermined objectives.
Experimental development is systematic work, using existing knowledge gained from research or practical experience, which is directed to producing new materials, products, devices, policies, behaviours or outlooks; to installing new processes, systems and services; or to improving substantially those already produced or installed.
Field of research
Research activity is categorised according to the field of research. In this respect, it is the methodology used in the research that is being considered. The categories in the classification include major fields of research investigated by national research institutions and organisations, and emerging areas of study.
Socio-economic objective.
Research is categorised according to the purpose or outcome of the research as conceived by the researcher. It consists of discrete economic, social, technological or scientific domains for identifying the principal purposes of the research. The attributes applied to the design of this classification comprise a combination of processes, products, health, education and other social and environmental aspects of particular interest.
The above is taken from Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC) 2008.