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Empirical Research

Describes empirical research and how to identify such studies.

Introduction

Empirical research is published in books and in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. However, most library databases do not offer straightforward ways to locate empirical research. Below are tips for some of ENMU's most popular Education and Behavioral/Social Sciences databases.

Finding Empirical Research in Golden Library One Search

Golden Library One Search does not have a method for locating empirical research. Using "empirical" as a keyword will find some studies, but miss many others. Below is a list of keywords that can also be helpful in locating specific types of empirical studies. However, if you aren't looking for a specific type of research you will have to read the abstracts and methodology sections to see if the paper qualifies (See What is Empirical Research.)

  • Action Research
  • Case Studies
  • Ethnography
  • Evaluation Methods
  • Evaluation Research
  • Experiments
  • Focus Groups
  • Field Studies
  • Interviews
  • Mail Surveys
  • Mixed Methods Research
  • Naturalistic Observation
  • Participant Observation
  • Participatory Research
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quantitative Research
  • Questionnaires
  • Research
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Studies
  • Surveys
  • Telephone Surveys

Finding Empirical Research in ERIC, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and PubMed

ERIC does not have a simple method to locate empirical research. Using "empirical" as a keyword will find some studies, but miss others. One technique is to search for "Research Reports":

  • Use the "Advanced Search"
  • Type your keywords into the search boxes
  • Scroll down to "Publication Type," and choose "Reports: Research"
  • Choose other limiters, such as publication date, if needed
  • Click on the "Search" button

If you prefer scholarly journals, look to the left side of the results screen. Under "Source Type," choose "Scholarly Journals"

To find empirical articles in PsycINFO:

  • Use the "Advanced Search"
  • Type your keywords into the search boxes
  • Scroll down the page to "Methodology," (it's all the way at the bottom) and choose "Empirical Study"
  • Choose other limits, such as publication date, if needed
  • Click on the "Search" button

CINAHL does not have a simple method to locate empirical research. One technique is to search for "evidence-based practice" items. This method tends to find meta-analyses and systematic reviews that combine the results of numerous studies: 

  • Use the "Advanced Search"
  • Type your keywords into the search boxes
  • Under "Limit your results," check off "Evidence-Based Practice"
  • Choose other limits, such as published date, if needed
  • Click on the "Search" button

Another alternative is to use terminology recommended by the CINAHL Headings list. Some useful keywords are:

  • Empirical Research
  • Experimental Studies
  • Nonexperimental Studies
  • Qualitative Studies
  • Quantitative Studies

There are two ways to find empirical articles in PubMed:

One technique is to limit your search results after you perform a search:

  • Type in your keywords and click on the "Search" button
  • To the left of your results, under "Article Types," click on "Customize"
  • Choose the types of studies that interest you, and click on the "Show" button

Another alternative is to construct a more sophisticated search:

  • From PubMed's main screen, click on "Advanced" link underneath the search box
  • On the Advanced Search Builder screen type your keywords into the search boxes
  • Change the dropdown box on the left from "All Fields" to "Publication Type"
  • To the right of Publication Type, click on "Show Index List" and choose a methodology that interests you. You can choose more than one by holding down the "Ctrl" or "⌘" on your keyboard as you click on each methodology
  • Click on the "Search" button