Empirical research
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Empirical research is research that bases its findings on direct or indirect observation as its test of reality. Such research may also be conducted according to hypothetico-deductive procedures, such as those developed from the work of R. A. Fisher.
The researcher attempts to describe accurately the interaction between the instrument (or the human senses) and the entity being observed. If instrumentation is involved, the researcher is expected to calibrate his/her instrument by applying it to known standard objects and documenting the results before applying it to unknown objects.
In practice, the accumulation of evidence for or against any particular theory involves planned research designs for the collection of empirical data, and academic rigor plays a large part of judging the merits of research design. Several typographies for such designs have been suggested, one of the most popular of which comes from Campbell and Stanley (1963). They are responsible for popularizing the widely cited distinction among pre-experimental, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs and are staunch advocates of the central role of randomized experiments in educational research.
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[edit] Scientific research
Accurate correlations in scientific studies are of critical importance to determine the validity of empirical research. Statistical formulas such as uncertainty coefficient and chi square are fundamental to forming logical, valid conclusions.
[edit] Empirical cycle
A.D. de Groot's empirical cycle:
Observation: The collecting and organisation of empirical facts; Forming hypotheses.
Induction: Formulating hypotheses.
Deduction: Deducting consequenses of hypotheses as testable predictions.
Testing: Testing the hypotheses with new empirical material.
Evaluation: Evaluating the outcome of testing.
[edit] Criticism
Since all research involves the use of observation, the term can be easily taken out of context to describe any type of research, which hence makes the term meaningless.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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