can either be applied (or action) research or fundamental (to basic or pure) research
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial/business organisation, whereas Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalisations and with the formulation of a theory
research concerning some natural phenomenon such as pure mathematics are examples of fundamental research
research aimed at certain conclusions (say, a solution) facing a concrete social or business problem is an example of applied research