Final answer:
An empirical research question seeks observable facts, such as the effect of a policy on test scores, while a normative research question focuses on ethical or value judgments, like the justifiability of standardized tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
An empirical research question could be "Does the implementation of a new education policy improve student test scores in public schools?" This type of question is focused on gathering data through observation or experimentation to establish factual information. On the other hand, a normative research question could be "Is it ethically justifiable for a government to implement a country-wide standardized testing system in schools?"
The main difference between empirical and normative questions is that empirical questions aim to uncover factual evidence and can be tested through observation or experimentation, whereas normative questions are concerned with making judgments about what is desirable or correct based on moral, ethical, or value-driven criteria.