Empirical is a word that comes from the Greek word "empeirikos," meaning "based on experience." The IPA phonetic transcription of the word would be /ɪmˈpɪrɪkəl/. The pronunciation of this word can be broken down into four syllables: "em," "pir," "i," and "cal." The stress falls on the second syllable, "pir." When spelling the word, it is important to remember that the -i- comes after the -r-. This word is frequently used in research and refers to information that is derived from observations or experiments.
Empirical is an adjective that pertains to, is derived from, or is based on observation, experience, or experiment rather than theory or speculation. It describes a method, approach, or knowledge that relies on actual evidence or empirical data acquired through the senses or direct observation. In essence, empirical knowledge is obtained by gathering information through real-world experiences or through systematic and planned scientific investigation.
When applied in the scientific or research context, empirical refers to a research approach that emphasizes objective observation and experimentation. It implies the collection and analysis of concrete, measurable, and verifiable data to formulate conclusions or make judgments. This approach is commonly associated with the scientific method, which involves observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis to validate or reject a theory or claim.
In a broader sense, empirical also signifies a philosophy of knowledge that prioritizes evidence over intuition or belief. It highlights the importance of relying on facts, reproducible evidence, and systematic observation to build a reliable foundation of understanding about the natural or social world.
Overall, empirical characterizes knowledge, methods, or claims that are grounded in or derived from real-world experience or observation, emphasizing the reliance on tangible evidence and observation rather than speculative or theoretical reasoning.
1. Founded on experience. 2. Relating to an empiric.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Resting only on experience; applied without science.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word empirical derives from the Greek word empirikos, which means experienced or skilled. It is related to the Greek noun empeiria, which signifies experience or experiment.