Choosing the right research pathway

Research provider or consultant?

Engage a consultant when established knowledge and professional judgement can answer the question. Engage a research provider when a technical outcome cannot be determined in advance and must be investigated systematically.

  • Decision first
  • Proportionate pathway
  • Clear boundaries

01

The practical difference

01

Consulting engagement

  • applies existing knowledge
  • reviews, analyses and recommends
  • fits mature methods and specialist interpretation
  • produces advice based on available evidence
02

Research engagement

  • generates new evidence
  • hypothesises, tests and observes
  • fits unresolved technical outcomes
  • may support, reject or qualify the hypothesis

02

Choose against the question, not the label

Neither model is inherently better. The right choice depends on whether available knowledge can settle the decision, how continuous the need is, what specialist capability and facilities are required, and who must retain the knowledge after the engagement.

The cost of choosing poorly is not only fees. It can be a demonstration mistaken for evidence, a research program built around an established answer, or a report disconnected from the operating team that must act on it.

03

How Ignition Research fits

We assess whether a research question exists, then frame, design, conduct or coordinate the investigation and maintain its evidence chain. If knowledge can already settle the issue, we recommend the more appropriate implementation or advice pathway.

We begin with the uncertainty and the decision it is blocking. If a research pathway is not proportionate, we say so and point to the more appropriate form of implementation, advice or partnership.

The Ignition research value chain

One methodology, six steps — each with a named output

See the full chain.

Frame the questionDesign the experimentBuild the evidenceInterpret the result

General information only. This page does not determine R&D Tax Incentive eligibility and is not tax, legal, financial or grant advice. Whether any government support pathway may be relevant depends on the project's specific activities, structure, evidence and the current program rules.

Next step

A researcher reads your description — not a salesperson.

Bring the operating problem, the result you cannot explain or the decision your team cannot make with confidence. You will get a reply within two business days — including when the honest answer is that a research pathway is not the right tool.

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