What is Empirical
Research? 
Empirical Research
is research that is based on experimentation or observation, i.e. Evidence. Such research is often conducted to answer a
specific question or to test a hypothesis (educated guess).
Overview:
Objectives of the Research Process:
- Capture contextual data and
complexity
- Learn from the collective
experience of the field
- Identify, explore, confirm
& advance theoretical concepts
- Enhance educational design
Aims of the Empirical Research
Process:
- Move research beyond simple
‘reporting of observations’
- Foster environments for
enhanced understanding
- Combine rigorous research
with thorough case study
- Relevance of theory is proved
by ability to work in a real world environment (context)
Why use Empirical Research Methods:
- Tradition and assumed
knowledge (i.e. superstition) have been relied upon for too long
- Integrate research and practice
- Instructional science (i.e.
the education process) needs to progress.
How you Benefit from Empirical
Research Methodology:
v
Integrate
professional knowledge with empirical data to inform instructional
developmental decisions
v
Teaching
methods AND student learning are backed by quality data and educational theory
v
Results
reflect/support theory AND demonstrate relevance to context
v
Established
relationship between intervention & behavioral response
Benefits of Empirical Research:
ü
Understand
and respond to dynamics of situations (context)
ü
Respect
contextual differences
ü
Build
upon what is already known to work
ü
Meet
accepted professional standards of research
Identifying Appropriate Research
Articles:
Research
articles that consist of empirical research are written in a specific
manner. They are always divided into
the following sections: title, abstract, introduction, methods, results,
discussion, and references. Each of
these sections may be further divided into subsections. One quick way to determine if you are looking
at an article that consists of empirical research is to see if it has these
sections.
Title – offers a brief description
of the research and includes the author(s). Abstract – is a brief but
comprehensive summary of the research, usually a paragraph long. Introduction – this section gives
background information about the research problem. It often includes information on similar
studies, explains the reason(s) for conducting the research and offers any
additional information that might be needed to understand the research
problem or research that is being described in the paper. Sometimes
the Introduction section isn’t titled, but it is always present. Methods – gives a detailed
description of how the research was conducted. Some methods that could be used include
surveying, experimentation and observation.
This is occasionally titled
Methodology instead. Results – the ‘answer’ to the
research question. The Results
section shows, describes and analyzes the data found by the research. Discussion – discusses the
implications of the results found.
The Discussion section may also compare, contrast and discuss the
data obtained to other research articles on similar topics. It
is sometimes called the Conclusion or divided into a ‘Discussion’ section
and a ‘Conclusion’ section. References – is a list of citations
for other books, journal articles, reports or studies mentioned in the
article. Sometimes called Works Cited
or Bibliography.
9/2006 MRS