empirical study

USAGE SUMMARY

"empirical study" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a study that relies on direct observation or experiment, as opposed to theory or logic. For example, "In our empirical study, we observed the behavior of different types of birds in the wild."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

SOAS, says Brown, was a college whose standing and ethos rested upon sound empirical study.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most Americans don't need a detailed empirical study to convince them of this.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There was an empirical study, and the empirical study was called the Weprin-Turner election," Mr. Lancman said.

The New York Times

Researchers will interview hundreds of people who were involved, in the first empirical study into the widespread rioting and looting.

The Guardian

The first attempt at an empirical study of the causes and consequences of the riots was announced by the Guardian and the London School of Economics on Monday.

The Guardian

I've just never been more struck by the effective heartlessness of an art history that dismisses all values except those which answer to empirical study.

The New Yorker

As the Princeton political scientist Omar Wasow has shown, in an important new empirical study, the spectacle of urban violence probably did get Richard Nixon elected.

The New Yorker

Nussbaum, a philosopher who teaches at the University of Chicago, candidly describes her latest book as a "manifesto, not an empirical study".

The New Yorker

When our experimental tools are less blunt, such questions will be amenable to empirical study.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even experts do not know, because there has never been a large-scale, empirical study.

The Economist

Formal logic is an a priori, and not an empirical, study.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "empirical study" to distinguish research based on observation and experimentation from theoretical or speculative approaches.

Common error

Avoid claiming broad applicability of findings from an "empirical study" without acknowledging the specific context and limitations of the research.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empirical study" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It identifies a specific type of research based on observation or experimentation. Ludwig provides examples where "empirical study" is used to describe various scientific and social science investigations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "empirical study" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe research based on observation and experimentation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse fields, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When writing, use "empirical study" to emphasize the data-driven nature of your research, while being mindful of the context and generalizability of your findings. Alternatives like "experimental research" or "data-driven analysis" can be used depending on the specific emphasis you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experimental research

Focuses on the experimental aspect of the study, highlighting the manipulation of variables.

data-driven analysis

Emphasizes the use of data as the primary basis for the analysis.

evidence-based investigation

Highlights the use of evidence to support the investigation's findings.

observational study

Focuses on observing phenomena in their natural setting without intervention.

field research

Highlights that the research is conducted in a real-world setting.

quantitative analysis

Specifies the use of numerical data for analysis.

qualitative research

Focuses on understanding experiences, perspectives, and meanings.

scientific inquiry

Emphasizes the scientific nature of the study.

practical assessment

Highlights the practical application of the study's findings.

real-world assessment

Emphasizes the evaluation in real scenarios instead of simulations.

FAQs

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

You can use "empirical study" to describe research based on observation or experiment. For example, "The conclusions are based on an "experimental research" conducted over five years."

What's the difference between "empirical study" and "theoretical study"?

An "empirical study" relies on direct observation and experimentation, whereas a "theoretical study" develops ideas and models based on existing knowledge without necessarily involving direct observation.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "empirical study"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "experimental research", "data-driven analysis", or "evidence-based investigation".

When is it appropriate to refer to research as an "empirical study"?

It is appropriate when the research involves collecting and analyzing data through observation or experimentation to test a hypothesis or answer a research question.