Empirical Research Articles

What is empirical research?

A type of study based on actual observations and experiences rather than theories or beliefs

What are empirical research articles?

Articles reporting on research conducted by the authors, rather than summarizing the work of others

What do empirical research articles include?

• Abstracts
• Substantial reference lists
• Often have charts displaying the data collected
• Usually have the following types of sections:
  • Introduction/Background
  • Literature Review
  • Method(s) (of data collection)
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion

Types of empirical research

Quantitative methods

Focuses on gathering numerical data and generalizing it across groups of people or to explain a particular phenomenon through

• Conducting polls, surveys, questionnaires, and experiments

• Compiling databases of records and information

• Observing the topic of the research, such as a specific reaction

• Performing a meta-analysis, which involves analyzing multiple prior studies in order to identify statistical trends or patterns

Qualitative methods

Explores attitudes, behavior and experiences to gain insights into phenomena, groups, or experiences through

• Conducting ethnographic studies

• Conducting focus groups

• Examining various types of records, including but not limited to diary entries, personal letters, official documents, medical or hospital records, photographs, video or audio recordings, and even minutes from meetings

• Holding one-on-one interviews

• Obtaining personal accounts and recollections of events or experiences

Mixed methods

Combines quantitative and qualitative research approaches and methods in the same study

How to find empirical research articles

Go to a research database for your topic:

• Narrow your search to Scholarly (Peer Reviewed) articles
• Look for other filters, like Subjects. There might be terms like this in the database:
  • Empirical research
  • Quantitative research
  • Qualitative research
• When a research database does not have these options, add the following search string to your current search
  • research OR study OR data OR empirical OR quantitative OR qualitative OR "mixed methods"

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