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About IFAS
IFAS stands for the Scientific Research and Applied Sciences.
IFAS was founded in 1987 as a consequence of the tremendous accumulation of
scientific results and general scientific progress which the 20th century had
brought, but which was not at a corresponding disposal of the recipients - the
populations in the countries of the world - to use for their daily benefit.
IFAS was created to carry out research which did not look for
new, hitherto unknown research results, but which understood in an original
sense to investigate the possibilities of combining known knowledge and
scientific results in ways which first and foremost made them applicable and
available to people in the poor parts of the world, and which simultaneously
could include possibilities of the advancement of various branches of industry,
traditional as well as untraditional.
Most of the research projects of the Foundation were carried
out by IFAS. A number of research methods are defined and very clearly
established in the objectives of IFAS - to facilitate the understanding of the
Foundation’s and IFAS’ research achievement
From the objectives of IFAS:
- "The activities of the institution can be optimally
understood in connection with, and as a function of, the definitions of the
research concept stated below. These definitions are elaborated by OECD and
frequently used as a basis for research descriptions.
- The Institution thus sees the combined concept of
research and development work as an activity which is performed
systematically in order to increase the wealth of knowledge, and to use this
knowledge to identify new functions and applications.
- The Institution thus sees basic research as an
activity of original character, with the aim of acquiring new knowledge and
insight without the primary aim on specified practical goals or
applications.
- The Institution thus sees applied research as an
activity of original character with the aim of acquiring new knowledge and
insight, first and foremost with the aim of concrete practical objectives or
applications.
- The Institution thus sees development work as a
systematic work based on the utilization of knowledge achieved through
research and/or practical experiences to call forth new or considerably
improved materials, mechanisms, products, processes, systems, or services.
- The Institution finally sees action research as a
research which directly takes aim towards change in the society.
- The Institution also sees its work inspired by critical
research, which is the kind of research which takes a position to
research itself, the role and the task of research in society and in
relation to the surrounding community."
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