Section 6: Definitions
Anchor: #i1002765TxDOT Definitions of Research, Implementation and Related Terms and Activities
Anchor: #i1002770Research
Research is a systematic controlled inquiry, often involving analytical or experimental activities, which seeks to gain new knowledge and which may involve development of new or revised products. Research includes:
- Basic Research: which is the study of phenomena to gain knowledge. Specific application may not have been identified.
- Applied Research: which is a project directed at solving a specific current problem and which usually results in the development of products ready for implementation.
- State-of-the-Art or Practice Surveys and Studies: which are studies used to gather existing information relative to an existing problem to assist in implementation or to better plan, direct, or focus research.
- Development: which is the translation
of new knowledge into a product, and which may include:
- Research Field Testing: which is to develop and/or modify a product at a test facility, or in TxDOT’s operational environment.
Software program development which solely automates the use of existing technology, formulae, knowledge and methods is specifically excluded from the definition of research.
Anchor: #i1002810Implementation
Implementation is the adoption of a product for use, including Technology Transfer activities that promote adoption, such as:
- Information dissemination: which includes the development, packaging and distribution of brochures, manuals, articles, reports, videos, and other materials which provide product descriptions and instructions to enable and promote use.
- Training: which includes training course development and conduct necessary to enable and promote use.
- Demonstration: which is the placing
of a product into TxDOT’s operational environment to demonstrate
its use, which includes:
- Deployment: which is the initial procurement and dissemination of a product to users.
- Implementation Field Testing: which is the demonstration and/or verification of product performance in TxDOT’s operational environment, including District/Division/Office (D/D/O) or NEEP (FHWA’s National Experimental Evaluation Program) experimental projects.
Product
A product of the research program may be a new or revised procedure, process, field guide, design, standard detail or drawing, device, material, standard test method, specification, video, computer hardware and/or software, data collections, training material, or training class.
Anchor: #i1002855Field Testing
Field Testing is placing a product into a test facility or TxDOT’s operational environment for further development (research), or into TxDOT’s operational environment to demonstrate performance (implementation).
Anchor: #i1002865Information Technology (IT) Component
Any product or procedure relating to information technologies or information systems. The term includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- data collections or computer and network hardware and/or software, and
- any documentation relating to the acquisition, analysis,
design, construction, implementation, maintenance, or support of
the above.
NOTE: The term “IT component” is synonymous with the term “IT deliverable.”
Product Evaluation
Product Evaluation is the evaluation of commercial products to determine suitability for TxDOT use.
Anchor: #i1002900FHWA Definitions (23 CFR 420.203)
Research means a systematic, controlled inquiry involving analytical and experimental activities which primarily seeks to increase the understanding of underlying phenomena. Research can be basic or applied.
Basic research means the study of phenomena whose specific application has not been identified; the primary purpose of this kind of research is to increase knowledge.
Applied research means the study of phenomena relating to a specific known need in connection with the functional characteristics of a system; the primary purpose of this kind of research is to answer a question or solve a problem.
Development means the translation of basic or applied research results into prototype materials, devices, techniques, or procedures for the practical solution of a specific problem in transportation.
Technology transfer means those activities that lead to the adoption of a new technique or product by users, and involves dissemination, demonstration, training, and other activities that lead to eventual innovation.
Research, Development, and Technology Transfer (RD&T) activity means a basic or applied research, development, or technology transfer project or study.
Anchor: #i1002935Other Definitions
Other related definitions may be found by performing a search in the online TxDOT Glossary.