Skip to Main Content

SONO: Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Introduction

Empirical research is based on observations and measurements of phenomena directly experienced by the researcher

The data 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, although secondary data from a literature review may form the theoretical background.

Source

Chart

Once you have located a journal article on your topic, you will need to assess the article to see if it is, in fact, an empirical study. Use the flow chart below to help you determine if the article is an empirical study. If you said yes to most of the questions, then your article is likely an empirical study.

Empirical Studies Flowchart

Tips

Tip 1: Limit your search results to Academic Journals/ Peer Reviewed Articles:

Screenshot showing filters in Single Search

Tip 2: Try adding one of the following keywords to your search terms
  • study              
  • empirical 
  • qualitative
  • results
  • methodology (or method)     
  • quantitative     
  • findings
  • participants

 

 

Tip 3: In the detailed article record look in the ...
  • Methodology Field: for an empirical study.
  • Abstract: For the terms study, empirical study, or empirical analysis.
  • Title: Empirical may also appear in the title of the journal article. 
  • Subject field: you may also see Empirical Research listed.