The various types of research conducted at foundations, academic institutions, and other organizations around the world are constantly advancing our collective knowledge of who we are and where we live. Although many types of research are conducted for the purposes of finding new ways to improve our quality of life, there are also other types of research that are primarily conducted to maximize profits. Whatever the ultimate goal of the research studies, most types of research rely on funding from outside sources.

Among the many types of research, the priority for most people is medical research. Research foundations dedicated to the cure and prevention of various diseases and conditions often receive much attention in the media when a public figure lends his or her name to the cause. Some examples include Livestrong: Lance Armstrong’s foundation for cancer research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. Some of the major academic institutions that conduct medical research and are also frequently profiled in the media include John Hopkins University, The Mayo Clinic, and the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research.

Environmental research is aimed at improving our quality of life by studying the environment and assessing our impact on the planet. A wide variety of issues are included within the larger framework that is environmental research. These include climate control, endangered wildlife, and urban planning, to name a few. Some of the various academic institutions which specialize in environmental research include the UCLA Institute of the Environment in the US, Oxford Environmental Change Institute in the UK, and The Stockholm Environment Institute in Sweden.

Unlike medical and environmental research, which generally aim to improve the health of people and the planet, marketing research is typically conducted for the exclusive benefit of specific industries or companies. The data collected in marketing research, including statistics on consumer behavior, sales, market shares, economic trends, and more helps companies to modify their sales strategies in order to increase profits. Marketing research arms vendors with such information as who their customers are, what their customers want, and what factors determine whether or not their customers will purchase their product or service. Some of the major marketing research organizations include ACNielsen, Ipsos ASI, and Forrester Research.