The Empirical research Refers to any research based on experimentation and observation, generally conducted to answer a specific question or hypothesis.
The empirical word means that information is obtained merely through experience, observation and / or experimentation.
In the scientific method, the word"empirical"refers to the use of a hypothesis that can be tested using observation and experimentation, all evidence must be empirical, which means that it must be based on evidence.
characteristics
The main characteristics of an empirical investigation are the following:
- It has a series of pre-established stages that must be followed to achieve a successful investigation.
- Although it has a series of pre-established stages that should be followed, this does not make it a rigid type of investigation, it retains flexibility and adaptability regarding its rules depending on the situation, the problem, the interests, objectives, etc.
- In the investigation are established questions that must be answered.
- The population, behavior or phenomenon to be studied must be defined.
- It describes the process used to study the population or phenomenon, including the selection of criteria, controls and instruments used for data collection (eg surveys)
- Generally includes graphs, statistical analysis and tables to explain the results obtained.
- They are substantial, they gather enough information.
goals
- Conduct thorough research, go beyond simply reporting observations.
- Improve understanding in the subject to be investigated.
- Combine extensive research with detailed case studies.
- To prove the relevance of the theory by using experimentation in the real world, providing context to the information.
Design
In each phase of the scientific investigation, three main questions must be answered, aimed at determining relevant information to answer the problem and establishing the way in which data will be interpreted and analyzed in an appropriate way.
These questions are:
- What are the reasons that lead us to do empirical research? And knowing this, analyze if the results provided will be of scientific and practical value.
- What is it to investigate? For example: to whom is it directed? Characteristics, properties, variables, etc.
- How should we investigate? What all of the measurement will be used, how they will be employed, measured, analyzed, etc.
Empirical Cycle
It consists of following the following steps:
- Observation: collect and organize empirical information with the purpose of forming a hypothesis.
- Induction: process of hypothesis formation.
- Deduction: deduce the conclusions and consequences of the empirical information that has been collected.
- Test: test the hypothesis according to the empirical data.
- Evaluation: evaluate and analyze the data collected in the tests previously carried out in order to reach a conclusion.
Structure and Composition of an article based on Empirical Research
Articles created under the guidelines of empirical research are divided and composed of the following sections:
- Title: Provides a brief and clear description of what the research will include, including the most relevant keywords.
- Summary: briefly describes (about 250 words) and specifies the problem and object of the research.
- Introduction: must be written in a didactic way, chronologically highlighting the main events in order to set the context of the research.
The objectives must be clear and often highlights the reasons that led the researcher to perform such work and offers information that may be useful to understand the problem to investigate.
You must always be present.
- Method: Provides a detailed description of how the research will be conducted.
- Sample: represents the population to be studied and should be clearly specified.
- Research instruments and instruments: tools that will be used to achieve the objective (surveys, questionnaires, etc.)
- Procedure: a summary of each step necessary for the implementation of the objectives.
- Research Design.
- Variables.
- Results: it is not more than the answer to the main question object of the investigation, it is described and analyzed the collected data.
- Discussion: discusses the implications of the results obtained. Compare, contrast and discuss the data obtained with other research or articles with similar themes.
It can often also carry the name of conclusion.
- References: list of citations of the books, articles, reports and studies that were used during the investigation.
Also called"bibliography".
Empirical Methods of Scientific Research
As we know, the content of empirical research comes from experience and can come from different sources:
- Method of scientific observation : It can be used in different moments of the investigation and consists in the direct perception of the object of study so as to know the reality.
- Simple observation: performed by a person spontaneously, consciously and without prejudice.
- Systematic observation: it requires some control to ensure its objectivity, it must be performed by several observers in order to obtain a uniform and fair result.
- Non-participant observation: the researcher is not part of the investigated group.
- Open observation: the subjects to be investigated are aware that they will be observed.
- Covert observation: the subjects to be investigated are not aware that they will be observed, the observer is hidden.
- Experimental method : Is the most effective and complex. The necessary information is collected and obtained through an experiment.
The purpose of the experiment may be to find relationships between objects, to verify the hypothesis, a theory, a model, to clarify laws, nexuses and relations, etc. All this in order to make manifest the causes, conditions, reasons and needs of the phenomenon studied.
The experiment will always be linked to theory, one can not exist without the other.
Criteria that are generally evaluated in this type of research
- One of the main criteria to be evaluated is whether the problem under study is novel or relevant.
- Verify if it has a practical, theoretical, social interest, etc.
- Identify if it is written in third person.
- Have consistency, consistency, quality, precision.
- Analyze if it answers the hypothesis and meets its objectives.
- Use and adaptation of bibliographic references.
- To verify that the results and conclusions truly contribute valuable information that improves the previous knowledge on the subject.
References
- Bradford, Alina (2015-03-24). " Empirical Evidence: A Definition ". Live Science.
- Bruns, Cynthia (2010-01-25). " Empirical Research How to Recognize and Locate "
- Cahoy, Ellysa (2016). "Empirical Research in Education and the Behavioral / Social Sciences".
- Heinemann, Klaus (2003). " Introduction to the Methodology of Empirical Research "
- Henderson, John. " Empirical Research "