Scientist vs Researcher
We used to hear about scientists and researchers, and think we know what they do for a living. There are vacancies of researchers and scientists in many private organizations and even government departments and people apply for these openings depending upon their qualifications and work experience. What do you think? Is a researcher also a scientist or is a scientist researcher? Is a researcher something more than a scientist, or just a type of scientist? This article attempts to throw light on these categories of people who are treated as professionals in our societies.
It is surprising to many that there are research scholars, research scientists, scientists, and researchers. But what actually is the difference? Any person involved in scientific research making the activity his vocation is labeled as a researcher. But it does not mean that a research could be only scientific in nature as many research on religion and are still called researchers. It so happens (matter of choice really) that a person researching on aspects of Bible is referred to as a Biblical scholar, and not a researcher or a scientist. If a journalist, researches, is he not a researcher? Thus, it is clear that scientist is a sub category of researchers who delves deep into science subjects such as physics or other natural sciences.
There are two types of researches called basic and applied research. Basic research is one that adds to the already present body of knowledge in a subject of study, while applied research seems to be more useful for us as it helps in the creation of new, improved goods, drugs or any other thing that is helpful in a way for us. Thus, a chemist, when he is doing research for his doctorate is said to be doing basic research while the same person, when he is working as a scientist in a lab and does research on a serious ailment to come up with a wonder drug is involved in applied research.
A scientist is a person trained and expert in one or more areas of science, and performs experiments to conduct research in a scientific manner. A scientist indulges in research to make for a better, improved, and a healthier world for us. He also endeavors to enrich our understanding and knowledge about nature and subjects based upon science. Scientists are to be distinguished from engineers who are all the time grappling with coming up with better products and appliances.
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What is the difference between Scientist and Researcher? • A scientist is also a researcher as he tests hypothesis and verifies observations and facts. • A researcher is a generic term for a person who may study a subject for a better understanding of facts, and he may be a scientist or a scholar in his field. • If a person conducts research in the field of religion, he is called a research scholar and not a research scientist.
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