Gunnar would be doing an applied research, because he is trying to find a solution to an issue. He is trying to find out if dressing in business casual makes people more comfortable around him. He is trying to answer the question because he wants to meet new people, and hence it is an applied research and not a basic research.
The definition of a convention is a meeting or assembly of people who share a common interest or a convention is a method, practice, rule or custom. An example of convention is a national meeting of English teachers
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom
a way in which something is usually done. "to attract the best patrons the movie houses had to ape the conventions and the standards of theatres"
an agreement between states covering particular matters, especially one less formal than a treaty. "the convention, signed by the six states bordering on the Black Sea, aims to prevent further pollution"
Because people did not know that yellow fever was caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, they assumed incorrectly that people could catch the disease through touch. To help control the disease, letters were cleaned with vinegar before being sent. This did not work, because it was a false cause-and-effect relationship.
Brian learns that nature can be cruel. He also learns to respect nature and to be aware of his surroundings. While the attack from the moose may have appeared random to Brian, he did learn that the moose provides a warning before attacking.