Contract research is a type of research where a company or organization outsources specific research projects to a third party, usually a research organization or a group of researchers. The contract typically outlines the scope of the research project, the timeline, the deliverables, and the compensation for the research work. This type of research is commonly used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and engineering where specialized expertise or equipment is needed for a specific project. Contract research allows companies to access specialized knowledge and resources without having to hire full-time employees or invest in expensive equipment.