Sociology Research Guide: Identifying & Finding Empirical Articles

Definition of an empirical study: An empirical research article reports the results of a study that uses data derived from actual observation or experimentation. Empirical research articles are examples of primary research.

Parts of a standard empirical research article: (articles will not necessary use the exact terms listed below.)

• Abstract . A paragraph length description of what the study includes.
• Introduction. Includes a statement of the hypotheses for the research and a review of other research on the topic.
• Method . A description of how the research was conducted, such as:
  ◊ Who are participants
  ◊ Design of the study
  ◊ What the participants did
  ◊ What measures were used
• Results. Describes the outcomes of the measures of the study.
• Discussion. Contains the interpretations and implications of the study.
• References. Contains citation information on the material cited in the report. (also called bibliography or works cited)

Characteristics of an Empirical Article:

• Empirical articles will include charts, graphs, or statistical analysis.
• Empirical research articles are usually substantial, maybe from 8-30 pages long.
• There is always a bibliography found at the end of the article.

Type of publications that publish empirical studies:

• Empirical research articles are published in scholarly or academic journals
  These journals are also called “peer-reviewed,” or “refereed” publications.
• Examples of such publications include:
  ◊ American Journal of Sociology
  ◊ Sociological Quarterly
  ◊ Sociological Methods and Research

Databases that contain empirical research: (selected list only)

• Academic Search Premieradd these words to your search terms:
  method* orresearch or research design or survey* or data or result*
• PsycINFO limit your searches by Form/Content Type to Empirical Study
• ERIC limit to Pub. Type to Reports - Research/Technical
  Change one dropdown box to Record. This finds REPORTS--RESEARCH.
• Sociological Abstracts1963 - present.
• Sports Discus Change search limit to Level = Advanced for original scientific research

Empirical Articles - Sample Research Tips

Empirical articles detail original research/studies that have been done.

Some of the major components of empirical articles include the following:
Abstract, Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, References

Locating Empirical Articles in APA PsycINFO

Use the "Methodology" limiter to select: EMPIRICAL STUDY

Locating Empirical Articles in ERIC

Use the "Publication Type" limiter to select: Reports - Research

Locating Empirical Articles in Other Databases

Use terms such as: study, research, empirical, methods, methodology, research design, survey, data, results

Please remember to use OR between your combination of terms. For example, you may enter the following in one search box:

study OR research OR empirical

research OR methods OR data OR results