Empirical research methodology that involves observation, experimentations, generalization, is widely used to test and prove knowledge claims or hypotheses to develop new knowledge.
Among the conceptual research and Empirical research methods, empirical research methodology is widely used in natural science as well as social at certain degree.
Purpose of empirical research methodology
Empirical research method is also known as field research that involves various research processes. Observation, experimentations, generalization are the scientific research processes.
By using Empirical research methodology, scientists test and prove knowledge claim or logical guess as hypothesis to develop knowledge. In this article, I’m going to explain empirical research methodology in detail.
Conceptual research and Empirical research methodology
Let’s take a look at the key points that helps in differentiating between Conceptual and empirical research methodology.
Empirical research methodology
Empirical research methodology works well in natural science to prove and test logical explanation, guess or knowledge claims. Though it is modern method of research, but it is the most effective means to test knowledge in question.
In short, empirical research methodology emphasis on empiricism and positivism. Empiricism is a philosophy that believes that knowledge is grounded in what you experience (By five senses)
Positivism philosophy
In terms of positivism philosophy, everything occurs in a nonrandom ways. In other words, there is a observable pattern behind everything happens. Simply put, Universe is an orderly place or arrangement.
If the universe is an orderly place, it is possible to find out pattern, connections and laws between two or more things or phenomenon.
Conceptual research method
Unlike empirical research methodology, conceptual research methodology relies on available knowledge base, theories, concepts, to form hypotheses. It doesn’t emphasis on viable experiments that works well in empirical research.
Logically, conceptual research method helps to eliminate knowledge gap and to make reliable knowledge to speculate and understand the world you live.
Understanding empirical research methodology
So far, I have explained Meaning and types of scientific research methods. There are two types of research methods. Empirical research method relies on observation, perception, and generalization to test knowledge claim and come up with new knowledge.
While conceptual research method relies on available knowledge base to develop hypothesis, bridge knowledge gap, and to make available reliable sources of knowledge.
Now, let’s know the key processes of empirical research methodology — Observation, perception, experimentation, and generalization.
1.Observation — Meaning, types and examples
Observation is a conscious way of perceiving things through senses to gather information or collect data. It is a vital scientific process applied in mainly empirical research.
Compare to other data collection methods like interviewing, the importance of observation in research processes is matchless. Let’s know the purpose and meaning of observation.
Meaning of observation as key science process
Basically, observation is one of the most important science processes employed to collect relevant and reliable data to test predictions in question.
It is conscious, deliberate, and careful process of perceiving things in question to understand things, theirs connections, and established patterns to derive conclusions.
Rules for correct observation
There are certain rules dictating the proper means and ways of observation in research processes.
Close and careful attention
Exactly, observation targeted to achieve a research goal should be attentive as well as deliberate. Observer can’t be mere spectator of happenings.
Attention means selection of salient points, concentration and avoid unnecessary distractions. In other words, it should be carefully focused endeavour.
Conscious and deliberate observation
Deliberate means getting involved in any targeted activity with a pre-planned goal. If your intent is to find something, you need to be conscious enough to go through.
Third, quick interpretation and understanding of observed phenomenon is essential to encode it to make such things applicable. After all, the ultimate goal of observation is to reach at the conclusions and test predictions.
Goals, objectives, and importance of observation in research
Generally, the ultimate goal of observation is to collect information of phenomenon you observe to test hypothesis or predictions in question.
In order to achieve this, firstly, one needs to interpret things in question properly. It is essential because without giving proper meaning to individual events or items, you cannot find or understand relations or connections among different things.
Secondly, you need to locate the patterns of happenings and understand why the phenomenon in question is repeating the way it is.
Thirdly, you can deduce or infer final finding in the form of conclusions. And, such perceived data you can use either to introduce a newer hypothesis or test predictions in question.
Participant, non-participant, controlled, uncontrolled are the types and examples of observation used in the research processes.
Experimentation and generalization — meaning, types and examples
Both experimentation and generalization are scientific research processes of conceptual, as well as empirical research.
Experimentation is a research process of testing hypothesis to build theories. Whereas, generalization mean applying results of research in broader context.
Simply, one helps to test theories and make available key knowledge. And, other measures the degree of generalizability of available results.
Meaning and usages of experimentation in research
The motive and purpose of experimentation is whether the dependent variable gets affected with changes in independent. Simply, it helps to determine the causal link between independent and dependent variables by the means of vcollected data.
In short, experimentation is hypothesis testing scientific process by the means of available knowledge and facts. If it is tested, we will get important knowledge to generalize at the higher level.
Importance of generalization in research
Generalization is a scientific process to measure the degree of usefulness of achieved research results in the broader context. Simply. It is a process of applying research findings in the practical world. Really, generalization is a means to understand and predict broader phenomenon.
In this case, the degree of generalizability determines whether the results effective enough to build theories or just a tendency statement. If they are inadequate, then, repetition of entire research cycle become compulsion.
Experimentation and observation difference
In scientific research, both experimentation and observation are means to find results. But, the findings discovered by the means of experimentation treated as more reliable than the means of observation.
Observation is a means to experience the world you live in to collect data and information to test knowledge claim.
Experimentation involves testing knowledge claimed in the light of available empirical data. This is all about the empirical research methodology and processes.
Solved Questions on empirical research methodology
Really, highly important topic for those who have instinct of investigation or develop new knowledge. These solved questions may help you to master the subject matter I provided here.
Q. 1. What is the difference between empiricism and positivism?
Ans: Relatively modern day research method, empirical research methodology grounded in the philosophical base of empiricism and positivism philosophies.
First, Empiricism philosophy assumes or believes that knowledge is what we experience with our senses. It means that by observation of world you live in, you can find patterns and connections to test knowledge claim.
Second, Positivism is a philosophy that assume or believes that there is nothing like random but order. It emphasis that this universe is an orderly place. And, we can find patterns and connections by careful observation.
Hence, Both empiricism and positivism helped to emerge empirical research methodology.
Q 2.What does conceptual research methodology mean?
Ans: Unlike empirical research methodology, conceptual research methodology relies on available knowledge base, theories, concepts, to form hypotheses. It doesn’t emphasis on viable experiments that works well in empirical research.
Logically, conceptual research method helps to eliminate knowledge gap and to make reliable knowledge to speculate and understand the world you live.
Writing hypothesis in research
Understanding ideals of enlightenment
Discipline humanities and social science
Theory hypothesis and research
Conceptual research methodology