empirical assertion

USAGE SUMMARY

"empirical assertion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a claim which is supported by data, evidence or facts. For example: "His empirical assertion that there is a positive correlation between stress levels and cancer rates has been supported by multiple studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

On Behalf of the Petitioners MR. LESSIG: Nothing in our Copyright Clause claim hangs upon the empirical assertion about impeding progress.

The New York Times

Each section then ends with an empirical assertion that incorporates relevant theoretical perspectives.

International Journal of STEM Education

The impacts of this relationship on classroom teachers who are also asked to be curriculum designers represent the study's second empirical assertion.

International Journal of STEM Education

While we customarily think of F=ma as an empirical assertion, there is a real risk that it turns out merely to be a definition or largely conventional in character.

SEP

Team Reckoning Force will be used to describe the study's first empirical assertion because the design decisions they enacted ultimately prevented them from moving beyond the initial stages of the design process.

International Journal of STEM Education

And the jury is still out on whether affirmative action reinforces those doubts, though Roberts marshals little in the way of evidence to prove his empirical assertion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Wilson regarding the balancing effects of immigration, emigration, and extinction on islands genuinely empirical assertions, or are they, as some critics claim, so vacuous as to be little more than tautologies?

Britannica

This table was used to generate and investigate various empirical assertions.

International Journal of STEM Education

Following Erickson's (1986) guidelines for reporting fieldwork research, analysis ended by testing inductively generated empirical assertions.

International Journal of STEM Education

Given the widespread explanatory use of the theory, one is justified in treating it as a set of testable empirical assertions.

SEP

An important (and somewhat hidden) feature of E09 is a set of new empirical assertions presented in defense of CA's hypothesis that Pirahã lacks embedding.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "empirical assertion", ensure the claim is genuinely supported by concrete evidence and not merely a theoretical argument presented as fact.

Common error

Avoid using "empirical assertion" when the claim is based on theory or speculation, not direct observation or data. Using "empirical assertion" incorrectly weakens your argument and may mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empirical assertion" functions as a noun phrase, where 'empirical' modifies 'assertion'. It describes a claim or statement that is based on observation or experiment. Ludwig confirms its usage, highlighting its role in denoting claims supported by evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empirical assertion" denotes a statement or claim that is based on evidence and observation, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its correct usage emphasizes that the claim is supported by concrete data, distinguishing it from theoretical or speculative arguments. Common in scientific, academic, and news contexts, its use conveys credibility and authority. Remember, the key to using "empirical assertion" effectively lies in ensuring that the assertion is genuinely grounded in empirical evidence. A number of alternatives exist, such as "evidence-based claim" and "data-supported statement", which offer slight variations in emphasis. Avoid using it when the claim lacks substantial support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evidence-based claim

Replaces 'empirical' with 'evidence-based', highlighting the support for the claim.

data-supported statement

Uses 'data-supported' to emphasize the reliance on data for the statement's validity.

fact-based contention

Substitutes 'empirical' with 'fact-based' and 'assertion' with 'contention', suggesting a debate or argument.

observation-backed declaration

Emphasizes the observational basis of the claim using 'observation-backed' and 'declaration' implying a formal announcement.

experimentally verified proposition

Highlights experimental verification using 'experimentally verified' and 'proposition' to suggest a formal statement.

empirically validated argument

Focuses on the validation aspect, implying rigorous testing.

real-world claim

Highlights the claim is derived from the real world rather than theory.

experience-based statement

This one focuses on claim coming from practical experience rather than formal study.

testable hypothesis

Reframes the assertion as a testable scientific hypothesis.

demonstrable truth

Implies a higher degree of certainty and provability.

FAQs

How can I use "empirical assertion" in a sentence?

You can use "empirical assertion" to describe a claim or statement that is based on evidence or observation. For example: "The scientist's "empirical assertion" about the effects of climate change was supported by years of data collection."

What's the difference between "empirical assertion" and "theoretical claim"?

An "empirical assertion" is based on observed evidence and data, whereas a theoretical claim relies on reasoning and abstract principles. Empirical assertions are tested against real-world observations, while theoretical claims are evaluated based on their logical consistency and explanatory power.

What are some alternatives to using "empirical assertion"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "evidence-based claim", "data-supported statement", or "fact-based contention".

When is it appropriate to use the term "empirical assertion"?

It is appropriate to use "empirical assertion" when discussing claims that are directly supported by verifiable evidence, observations, or experimental data. Avoid using it when the claim is speculative or lacks concrete support.