What is the importance of social science research?

Take this example, the importance of research in education.

Research, with the general aim of systematically, improving an academic body of knowledge may:

a) the Deficits in systems may be highlighted by well designed research. The results of research can lead (ideally) to changes in methods or practices (in the case of education it might be a teaching methods, say online Vs in class on campus). This would ideally (further testing would needed to confirm) appropriate education is provided to the students resulting in a more effective/efficient population.

b. As suggested above, research determines the success or failure of change in any process or work flow.

In other Words, the success of any project/endeavor greatly lies on a good (extensive) research.
Without it we will not learn about previously unknown Natural Phenomena that can be used to make new Technologies.