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This guide should serve as a starting point for your research needs for Psychology. Use the tabs at the top of the guide to locate different types of resources. If you have any questions, please let us know. Familiarize yourself with the key concept of Empirical Research below . . .
What is an Empirical Research Article?
“Empirical studies are reports of original research. These include secondary analyses that test hypotheses by presenting novel analyses of data not considered or addressed in previous reports. They typically consist of distinct sections that reflect the stages in the research process . . . .”
Components of Empirical Studies
Introduction: Statement of purpose of the investigation
Method: Description of the procedures used to conduct the investigation
Results: Report of the findings and analyses
Discussion: Summary, interpretation, and implications of the results
Source: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth edition, p. 10.
Beware, all scholarly journal articles are not empirical research articles. Examples are:
Literature Review: This is a scholarly journal article written for the purpose of giving an overview of past research on a topic.
MetaAnalysis: This is a scholarly journal article written for the purpose of analyzing the results of previous research in a different way.
Empirical research articles are often called "quantitative research."