A central concept in science and the scientific
method is that all evidence must be empirical, or empirically based, that is, dependent on evidence or
consequences that are observable by the senses. Empirical data is data that is produced by experiment or observation.[1] It is usually differentiated from the philosophic usage of
empiricism by the use of the adjective "empirical" or the adverb "empirically." "Empirical"
as an adjective or adverb is used in conjunction with both the natural and
social sciences, and refers to the use of working hypotheses that are testable using observation or experiment. In this sense of the word, scientific
statements are subject to and derived from our experiences or observations.
Variations
In a second sense "empirical" in science may be synonymous with "experimental." In this sense, an empirical result is an
experimental observation. In this context, the term semi-empirical is used for qualifying theoretical methods which use in
part basic axioms or postulated scientific laws and experimental results. Such methods are opposed
to theoretical ab initio methods which are purely deductive and based on first principles.
In statistics, "empirical" quantities are those computed from observed values, as opposed to those derived from theoretical considerations.
In economics, "empirical" generally refers to statistical or econometric analysis of
numeric data. Other forms of observation-based hypothesis testing are not considered to be "empirics."
The use of the adjective empirical, especially in scientific studies using statistics, may
also indicate that a particular correlation between two parameters has been found, but that
so far, no theory for the mechanism of the connection is known.
Empirical does not refer to empires (e.g. Roman
Empire); it is sometimes used erroneously in this fashion. See Imperial as an adjective
for empire.
Notes
- ^ The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton
Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company
See also
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