EMPIRICAL RESEARCH: CHARACTERISTICS, METHODS AND CRITERIA - ARTE - 2025

The empirical research refers to any research based on experiment or observation, generally conducted to answer a particular question or hypothesis. The word empirical means that the information is obtained 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 stages established in advance 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 research, it retains flexibility and adaptability in terms of its rules depending on the situation, the problem, interests, objectives, etc.

-In the investigation, questions are established that must be answered.

-The population, behavior or phenomenon to be studied must be defined.

-Describes the process used to study the population or phenomenon, including the selection of criteria, controls and instruments used for data collection (for example: surveys)

-Generally includes graphs, statistical analysis and tables to explain the results obtained.

-They are substantial, they collect a lot of information.

goals

-Carry out full investigations, go beyond simply reporting observations.

-Improve understanding of the subject to be investigated.

-Combine extensive research with detailed case studies.

-Test the relevance of the theory through the use of experimentation in the real world, provide context to the information.

Design

In each of the phases of scientific research, three main questions must be answered, aimed at determining relevant information to answer the problem and establish the way in which the data will be interpreted and analyzed appropriately.

These questions are:

1. What are the reasons that lead us to carry out an empirical investigation? And knowing this, analyze whether the results provided will be of scientific and practical value.
2. What is to be investigated? For example: who is it for? Characteristics, properties, variables, etc.
3. How should it be investigated? What measurement methods will be used, how will they be used, measured, analyzed, etc.

Empirical Cycle

It consists of following the following stages:

1. Observation: collect and organize empirical information in order to form a hypothesis.
2. Induction: hypothesis formation process.
3. Deduction: deduce the conclusions and consequences of the empirical information that has been collected.
4. Test: test the hypothesis according to the empirical data.
5. 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

The 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 be, includes the most relevant keywords.

-Summary: briefly describe (around 250 words) and specify the problem and object of the investigation.

-Introduction: it must be written in a didactic way, highlighting the main events chronologically in order to set the context of the research.

The objectives must be clear and often highlights the reasons that led the researcher to carry out this work and offers information that can be useful to understand the problem to be investigated.

It must always be present.

• Method: Provide a detailed description of how the investigation will be conducted.
  • Sample: represents the population to be studied and must be clearly specified.
  • Research devices and instruments: tools that will be used to achieve the objective (surveys, questionnaires, etc.)
  • Procedure: summary of each step necessary for the execution of the objectives.
  • Design of the investigation.
  • Variables
• Results: it is nothing more than the answer to the main question under investigation, the collected data is described and analyzed.
• Discussion: discuss the implications of the results obtained. Compare, contrast and discuss the data obtained with other research or articles with a similar topic.

Often it can also be called a conclusion.

• References: list of citations of the books, articles, reports and studies that were used during the research.

Also called "bibliography".

Empirical methods of scientific investigation

As we already know, the content of empirical investigations comes from experience and can come from different sources:

Scientific observation method

It can be used at different moments of the investigation and consists of direct perception of the object of study in order to know reality.

• Simple observation: carried out by a person spontaneously, consciously and without prejudice.
• Systematic observation: it requires some control to guarantee its objectivity, it must be carried out 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

It is the most efficient and complex. The necessary information is collected and obtained through an experiment.

The purpose of the experiment can be: find relationships between objects, verify the hypothesis, a theory, a model, clarify laws, links and relationships, etc. All this in order to reveal the causes, conditions, reasons and needs of the phenomenon studied.

The experiment will always be linked to the theory, one cannot exist without the other.

Criteria that are generally evaluated

-One of the main criteria to be evaluated is whether the problem under study is novel or relevant.

-Check if you have a practical, theoretical, social interest, etc.

-Identify if it is written in the third person.

-That it has coherence, consistency, quality, precision.

-Analyze if it responds to the hypothesis and meets its objectives.

-Use and adaptation of bibliographic references.

-Check that the results and conclusions truly provide valuable information that improves prior knowledge on the subject.

References

1. Bradford, Alina (2015-03-24). "Empirical Evidence: A Definition". Live Science.
2. Bruns, Cynthia (2010-01-25). "Empirical Research How to Recognize and Locate"
3. Cahoy, Ellysa (2016). "Empirical Research in Education and the Behavorial / Social Sciences".
4. Heinemann, Klaus (2003). "Introduction to the Methodology of Empirical Research"
5. Henderson, John. "Empirical Research"