What is the difference between basic research and applied research? The difference between the two types of research is the difference between practice and theory. The difference between the two types of research is the difference between research for its own sake and research to solve specific problems. The difference between the two types of research is the difference between the application of psychological theories and the adaption of psychological theories. The difference between the two types of research is the difference between the prediction of various human behaviours and the control of these behaviours.