Your "BasicResource" resource factory can be greatly simplified: Before:

app.factory("BasicResource", ["$q", "$http", function ($q, $http) {
    var resourceFactory = {
        async: function(type) {
            var d = $q.defer();
            var result = $http.get("/api/" + type).success(function() {
                d.resolve(result);
            });
            return d.promise;
        }
    };
    return resourceFactory;
}]);

after:

app.factory("basicResource", ["$http", function ($http) {
    return {
        get: function(type) {
            return $http.get("/api/" + type)
                .then(function(response) {
                    return response.data;
                });
        }
    };
}]);

You don't need to call the method async because consumers will expect a promise from such a method. Also resource is probably not the best name for a service which only provides get functionality.

Regarding response transformation, there are several ways to do it. Per request, or by registering interceptors with $httpProvider.

Personally, my preference is to avoid $resource entirely as it behaves oddly, transforming a promise into its result for example. $http meets my needs.

Also note that .success and .error are deprecated and you should use .then and .catch in their place. This will improve interop and avoid some quirks.

Your "BasicResource" resource factory can be greatly simplified:

before:

app.factory("BasicResource", ["$q", "$http", function ($q, $http) {
    var resourceFactory = {
        async: function(type) {
            var d = $q.defer();
            var result = $http.get("/api/" + type).success(function() {
                d.resolve(result);
            });
            return d.promise;
        }
    };
    return resourceFactory;
}]);

after:

app.factory("basicResource", ["$http", function ($http) {
    return {
        get: function(type) {
            return $http.get("/api/" + type)
                .then(function(response) {
                    return response.data;
                });
        }
    };
}]);

You don't need to call the method async because consumers will expect a promise from such a method. Also resource is probably not the best name for a service which only provides get functionality.

Regarding response transformation, there are several ways to do it. Per request, or by registering interceptors with $httpProvider.

Personally, my preference is to avoid $resource entirely as it behaves oddly, transforming a promise into its result for example. $http meets my needs.

Also note that .success and .error are deprecated and you should use .then and .catch in their place. This will improve interop and avoid some quirks.