Empirical Research: How do I find empirical research in databases?

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To find empirical articles in ABI/Inform Complete:

• Use the "Advanced Search"
• Type your keywords into the search boxes
• Choose other limits, such as publication date, if needed
• Under "More Search Options," scroll down to "Classification Code," and click on "Look Up Classification Codes"
• Within the Look Up box, click on the plus (+) sign beside "Article Treatment," and click on additional plus (+) signs to reveal various options. Check off "9130 - Experiment/Theoretical," then click on the "Add to Search" button
• Click on the "Search" button

ERIC does not have a simple method to locate empirical research. Using "empirical" as a keyword will find some studies, but miss others. One technique is to search for "Research Reports":

• Use the "Advanced Search"
• Type your keywords into the search boxes
• Under "More Search Options," see "Document Type," and choose "Reports: Research"
• Choose other limits, such as publication date, if needed
• Click on the "Search" button

An alternative is to use terminology recommended by the ERIC thesaurus. Some useful keywords are:

• Action Research
• Case Studies
• Ethnography
• Evaluation Methods
• Evaluation Research
Experiments
• Focus Groups
• Field Studies
• Interviews
• Mail Surveys
• Mixed Methods Research
• Naturalistic observation
• Participant Observation
• Participatory Research
• Qualitative Research
• Questionnaires
• Research
• Statistical Analysis
• Statistical Studies
• Telephone Surveys

CINAHL does not have a simple method to locate empirical research. One technique is to search for peer reviewed research items:

• Use the "Advanced Search"
• Type your keywords into the search boxes
• Under "Limit your results," check off "Research Article" and "Peer Reviewed"
• Choose other limits, such as published date, if needed
• Click on the "Search" button

Sometimes keyword searching in CINAHL brings back few results. In that case, try searching the CINAHL Headings list for recommended terminology. Some useful keywords are:

• Empirical Research
• Experimental Studies
• Qualitative Studies
• Quantitative Studies

To find empirical articles in PsycINFO:

• Use the "Advanced Search"
• Type your keywords into the search boxes
• Under "More Search Options," see "Methodology," and choose "Empirical Study"
• Choose other limits, such as publication date, if needed
• Click on the "Search" button