empirical
empirical — adjective
1. involving or based on information that is gained through direct observation, mea
involving or based on information that is gained through direct observation, measurement, or practical testing, rather than through theoretical reasoning or guesswork alone
The researchers collected empirical data from over 200 participants during the six-month study.
collocation: empirical data
Padma's theory was supported by strong empirical evidence gathered in the laboratory.
collocation: empirical evidence
Rather than relying on guesswork, the team used empirical methods to test their new drug.
Sayaka found that her empirical observations did not match the textbook predictions.
- experimental
narrower — refers specifically to controlled tests in a lab or trial; all experimental work is empirical, but not all empirical work is experimental (e.g., observational studies)
- observational
narrower — emphasizes watching and recording without intervention, a subset of empirical methods
- factual
broader — refers to things known to be true regardless of how they were established; empirical evidence is factual, but not all facts come from empirical methods
- practical
broader and less precise — focuses on real-world effectiveness rather than theoretical ideas, but may not involve systematic observation or testing
- theoretical
based on abstract ideas or models rather than on direct observation or experiment
- hypothetical
based on a suggested possibility rather than on actual experience or data
文法句型
empirical + noun (evidence / data / research / study / observation / method / approach)
be + empirical