Applied Technology Research: Bridging Theory and Practice

In a world increasingly driven by technological breakthroughs, Applied Technology Research: Bridging Theory and Practice offers a comprehensive, doctoral-level foundation for conducting rigorous, interdisciplinary research in information technology, engineering, cybersecurity, and emerging digital systems. Designed for aspiring scholars and technology professionals, this text systematically examines the principles and practices needed to produce credible, innovative, and ethically sound research in complex, rapidly evolving environments. Beginning with the philosophical foundations of applied research, the book explores ontological and epistemological perspectives—positivism, constructivism, pragmatism—and their influence on research design, innovation, and knowledge production. Students are guided through the critical distinctions between pure, applied, and translational research, alongside discussions on how emerging fields like AI, blockchain, and IoT demand new approaches to inquiry and practice-based advancement.

Building upon this theoretical grounding, the text delves into the full spectrum of research methodologies, including experimental design, Design Science Research (DSR), action research, grounded theory, and participatory design strategies. Readers learn to craft impactful research questions, build operational models, align methodologies, integrate user-centric approaches, and address ethical imperatives—particularly in domains involving surveillance technologies, AI fairness, and cybersecurity. Each chapter provides deep exploration into key research domains: quantitative methods (hypothesis testing, inferential statistics, machine learning), qualitative approaches (thematic analysis, ethnography, grounded theory coding), and mixed methods designs for holistic inquiry. The book further highlights advanced techniques in computational research, including real-time data acquisition through IoT, network and graph analysis, NLP applications, big data management, and cloud-based experimental platforms.

Special focus is placed on technology frameworks like TAM, UTAUT, Systems Thinking, and Complex Adaptive Systems to model and analyze socio-technical interactions. Students are also equipped to use digital research and automation tools such as Jupyter Notebooks, GitHub, SPSS, Python, Tableau, and mobile-based instrumentation. Critical themes such as Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), reproducibility, IRB protocols, stakeholder engagement, and research-to-practice translation are woven throughout, ensuring students are prepared to lead credible, ethically grounded research initiatives. Finally, the book offers robust strategies for scholarly dissemination, commercialization pathways, and the transformation of academic research into industry standards, policy recommendations, and entrepreneurial innovation. Through integrated guidance and real-world applications, students learn not only how to conduct research—but how to amplify its real-world impact.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive coverage of applied research design, technology frameworks, data collection, and computational techniques.
• Practical strategies for designing valid, ethical, and impactful studies across diverse technology domains.
• Integration of AI, IoT, machine learning, and cloud technologies into empirical and experimental research models.
• Frameworks for addressing bias, ensuring reproducibility, and enhancing credibility and real-world applicability.
• Detailed guidance on publishing, technology transfer, innovation commercialization, and policy translation.

Ideal For:
Doctoral students in information technology, cybersecurity, engineering, computer science, data science, and digital innovation; early-career researchers; applied technology professionals pursuing empirical research; and doctoral candidates preparing dissertations, capstone projects, and industry-driven research initiatives.

Walsh College Students: This is the required textbook for IT704: APPLIED RESEARCH TOPICS II

ISBN-13 979-8-9987646-5-3

Format: E-Book