Empirical research requires observation or actual experience that is able to be measured; the resulting empirical evidence documents the observations and can be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively.

Characteristics to look for in empirically based research:

• Identifies a problem, population, or research question under study

• Methodology is stated

• Alternate course of action may be included

• Defines the group or issue being studied

• May be quantitative or qualitative  [check with your course instructor or syllabus, as the course focus may be on just one or the other]

• May include tests or surveys (embedded, as an appendix, or referred to by Proper Name)

• May be reproducible; to be replicated or adapted to a new study

Some databases have a filter or advanced search limiter to focus results on empirical research. See the database descriptions elsewhere on this page for details.

If a filter/limiter is not available, enter keywords to match on appropriate content and/or to look for these terms in the summary abstract or article itself:

• design

• hypothesis

• method

• quantitative

• statistic* (to match on statistic, statistics or statistical)

• [inclusion of] charts, statistical tables or graphs