PSYC 3401: Experimental Psychology

Empirical Article - A report on a study or experiment, written by the person or people who conducted the study or experiment; primary literature. It contains the methodology, data, and conclusions of the study or experiment.

Components of an Empirical Article:

• Abstract – Provides a very brief summary of the research.
• Introduction – Sets the research in a context by providing a review of related research and develops the hypotheses for the research.
• Method – Description of how the research was conducted, including who the participants were, the design of the study, what the participants did, and what measures were used.
• Results – Describes the outcomes of the measures of the study.
• Discussion – Interpretations and implications of the study.
• References – Resources cited in the article.

Other things to look for:

• Language
  • measurement
  • psychological aspects
  • reports
  • research statistics
  • usage
• Length of Article
  • Empirical research articles are usually substantial (more than 1 or 2 pages)
• Includes a bibliography or cited references section (usually at the end of the article)