Empirical
A central concept in
science and the
scientific method is that all evidence must be
empirical, or
empirically based, that is, dependent on evidence that is observable by the senses. 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.
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.
Empirical does
not refer to
empires (e.g.
Roman Empire); it is sometimes used in
history books erroneously.
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Empiricism (Philosophic usage and history)
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Empirical research (More on the scientific usage)
