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Empirical research is research that is based on observation and measurement of phenomena, as directly experienced by the researcher. The data thus gathered may be compared against a theory or hypothesis, but the results are still based on real life experience. The data gathered is all primary data, although secondary data from a literature review may form the theoretical background.

Typically, empirical research embodies the following elements:

• A research question, which will determine research objectives.
• A particular and planned design for the research, which will depend on the question and which will find ways of answering it with appropriate use of resources.
• The gathering of primary data, which is then analysed.
• A particular methodology for collecting and analysing the data, such as an experiment or survey.
• The limitation of the data to a particular group, area or time scale, known as a sample: for example, a specific number of employees of a particular company type, or all users of a library over a given time scale. The sample should be somehow representative of a wider population.
• The ability to recreate the study and test the results. This is known as reliability.
• The ability to generalize from the findings to a larger sample and to other situations.

Source: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/research/guides/methods/empirical.htm

Search for Empirical Study:

Option #1

• On library homepage, use search bar near top of the page.
• Enter search terms (example: “anxiety disorder” and “empirical study”.
• On results page, to the left, select Academic Journal.

Option#2

• On library homepage, click on Databases by Title.
• Click on letter “P”, or scroll down and select PsycARTICLES or PsycINFO.
• On search page, scroll down to methodology, and select Empirical Study.
• There are also several other options to refine the search.