"Empirical research is research that is based on observation and measurement of phenomena, as directly experienced by the researcher. The data thus 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 data, although secondary data from a literature review may form the theoretical background."
From Emerald Publishing's guide to conducting empirical research.
Must include at least 4 of these steps of the scientific method:
It can be qualitative (analyzes words) or quantitative (analyzes numbers).
Methods of Research on Teaching the English Language Arts by