Empirical research is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation
or experience.
Empirical evidence can be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively.
Through quantifying the evidence or making sense of it in qualitative form, a researcher
can answer empirical questions, which should be clearly defined and answerable with the
evidence collected.
Research design varies by field and by the question being investigated.
Many researchers combine qualitative and quantitative forms of analysis to better answer questions
which cannot be studied in laboratory settings, particularly in the social sciences and in
education.
In some fields, quantitative research may begin with a research question which is tested
through experimentation in a lab.
Usually, a researcher has a certain theory regarding the topic under investigation.
Based on this theory some statements, or hypotheses, will be proposed.
From these hypotheses predictions about specific events are derived.
These predictions can then be tested with a suitable experiment.
Depending on the outcomes of the experiment, the theory on which the hypotheses and predictions
were based will be supported or not.
Terminology The term empirical was originally used to
refer to certain ancient Greek practitioners of medicine who rejected adherence to the
dogmatic doctrines of the day, preferring instead to rely on the observation of phenomena
as perceived in experience.
Later empiricism referred to a theory of knowledge in philosophy which adheres to the principle
that knowledge arises from experience and evidence gathered specifically using the senses.
In scientific use the term empirical refers to the gathering of data using only evidence
that is observable by the senses or in some cases using calibrated scientific instruments.
What early philosophers described as empiricist and empirical research have in common is the
dependence on observable data to formulate and test theories and come to conclusions.
Usage The researcher attempts to describe accurately
the interaction between the instrument and the entity being observed.
If instrumentation is involved, the researcher is expected to calibrate his/her instrument
by applying it to known standard objects and documenting the results before applying it
to unknown objects.
In other words, it describes the research that has not taken place before and their
results.
In practice, the accumulation of evidence for or against any particular theory involves
planned research designs for the collection of empirical data, and academic rigor plays
a large part of judging the merits of research design.
Several typographies for such designs have been suggested, one of the most popular of
which comes from Campbell and Stanley.
They are responsible for popularizing the widely cited distinction among pre-experimental,
experimental, and quasi-experimental designs and are staunch advocates of the central role
of randomized experiments in educational research.
Scientific research Accurate analysis of data using standardized
statistical methods in scientific studies is critical to determining the validity of
empirical research.
Statistical formulas such as regression, uncertainty coefficient, t-test, chi square, and various
types of ANOVA are fundamental to forming logical, valid conclusions.
If empirical data reach significance under the appropriate statistical formula, the research
hypothesis is supported.
If not, the null hypothesis is supported, meaning no effect of the independent variable(s)
was observed on the dependent variable(s).
It is important to understand that the outcome of empirical research using statistical hypothesis
testing is never proof.
It can only support a hypothesis, reject it, or do neither.
These methods yield only probabilities.
Among scientific researchers, empirical evidence refers to objective evidence that appears
the same regardless of the observer.
For example, a thermometer will not display different temperatures for each individual
who observes it.
Temperature, as measured by an accurate, well calibrated thermometer, is empirical evidence.
By contrast, non-empirical evidence is subjective, depending on the observer.
Following the previous example, observer A might truthfully report that a room is warm,
while observer B might truthfully report that the same room is cool, though both observe
the same reading on the thermometer.
The use of empirical evidence negates this effect of personal experience or time.
Empirical cycle
A.D.
de Groot's empirical cycle: Observation: The collecting and organization
of empirical facts; Forming hypothesis.
Induction: Formulating hypothesis.
Deduction: Deducting consequences of hypothesis as testable predictions.
Testing: Testing the hypothesis with new empirical material.
Evaluation: Evaluating the outcome of testing See also
Case study research Fact
Qualitative research Quantitative research
References
External links Some Key Concepts for the Design and Review
of Empirical Research What is Empirical Research?