Empirical research is a structured approach to inquiry and is used to discover or to extend some new knowledge or understanding within a field or discipline. It is framed in the belief that direct observation and interactive experience with "something" is an appropriate way to gauge reality and thereby generate new understanding that is truly acceptable.
A research study, considered empirical, documents an investigation whereby data is gathered by experimentation or observation. An empirical research article layout generally contains these format characteristics, although some articles, specifically, may not use the exact terminology listed below:
- Abstract - A brief, tightly focused description of the overall study, usually stated in 500 to 600 words.
- Introduction - Broadly, the "Introductory" portion stages several key opening and inter-related elements. It establishes, for a reader, the context and significance of the proposed study as viewed by the researcher(s). Given their proposed study's overall topical focus and research issue [aka, variables], the "Intro" then reviews other related research already done in terms of their relevance, strengths and/or weakness(es) of findings, and omission of issues or questions not considered or investigated. Next, the author(s) establish what they intend to do and study, how it differs from what has been done already by others, and what new contributing knowledge/insight they wish to establish. Lastly, given the research problem and focus issues , the researcher(s) then state their own expectations as "hypotheses". As best guesses of what might be, they are statements about relationships they intend to prove or dis-prove based on gathered evidence and results of investigation and applied statistical analysis of data results.
- Methodology - That segment dealing with mechanical and technical details of implementing a research study, describing how the research will be conducted. Example, who or what defined group participated in the study or were subjects of investigation? Is there a time frame identified? What procedural sequences were observed or followed in the study? What did researchers have the participants do in terms of activities, responses or events? How were the results measured or captured and compared? Did they answer a questionnaire or participate in an interactive experiment? What statistical analytical tools and processes were applied?
- Results - A documentation of a study's outcomes; what was revealed and learned about findings/results from the methods/procedures used to implement the research. What did the data findings indicate and was it significant in a statistical context? What actual findings, deemed predictable, were in fact revealed? Conversely, what did not? Results are logically organized, often embellished with charts, tables, graphs, etc., and presented without interpretation or bias.
- Discussion/Conclusion - As the contemplative phase, the "discussion" is sifting critically thru the results and making interpretations about the data gathered and addressing significances and nuances of the findings in the broader view of what's already generally known about the subject matter by other research. Did the results lend confirmation or rejection of hypotheses underlying the investigation? What did the findings reveal that is new or important, advancing deeper understanding of the subject matter? Were some findings and outcomes unexpected, causing a change of perspective? Were there contradictions? How has a particular study move one's understanding of the problem/issue forward from the Introductory. Conclusion - - ending commentary about why the research project was important, or new, or different from other conceptually similar investigations. It should justify how discipline knowledge has been advanced. Lastly, a conclusion offers suggestions of new directions and new areas of future research.
- References - A bibliography of research materials & writings cited or used in the research. It is the road map background which informs the current research problem in terms of what has not been considered or investigated. Lots of "research gold"to mine here!
In general, research articles include graphics (ie, charts), technical statistical analysis, and may be lengthy. An article can be difficult to understand and use terms that are unfamiliar to you. There is a lot of technical, statistical jargon you will encounter and until you take courses in statistics then that background becomes clearer. Don't panic - - - empirical research is not incomprehensible! Yes it will be challenging! Often overall understandings you need can be found in the abstract, introduction and discussion.
