Finding Empirical Research
What is Empirical Research?
Empirical research is “based on observed and measured phenomena and derives knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief” (Los Angeles Harbor College, 2019).
Characteristics of Empirical Research
If you are specifically searching for empirical research studies to support your work, there are key characteristics you can look for in journal articles as you explore your search results. An empirical study will include:
- Specific research questions to be answered
- Definition of the population, behavior, or phenomena being studied
- Description of the process used to study this population or phenomena, including selection criteria, controls, and testing instruments (such as surveys)
Most often, empirical research will include the following as sections or headings in a paper:
- Introduction
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
Finding Empirical Research in ERIC
In ERIC, narrow your search to empirical research by selecting “Numerical/Quantitative Data,” “Reports – Evaluative,” and/or “Reports – Research” as the Publication Type.
You can also narrow your search to empirical studies through your keywords. The following terms are subject headings recommended by ERIC that can be used as keywords to search for empirical studies using a particular method:
- Action Research
- Case Studies
- Ethnography
- Evaluation Methods
- Evaluation Research
- Experiments
- Focus Groups
- Field Studies
- Interviews
- Mail Surveys
- Mixed Methods Research
- Naturalistic Observation
- Participant Observation
- Participatory Research
- Qualitative Research
- Questionnaires
- Research
- Statistical Analysis
- Statistical Studies
- Telephone Surveys
References:
Los Angeles Harbor College. (2019). Empirical research: What is empirical research? Retrieved from https://libguides.lahc.edu/empirical/what Links to an external site.