Question

Define empirical evidence in your own words.

a) Evidence that comes from direct experience, scientifically gathered data, or experimentation
b) Evidence that involves observing a complete social setting and all that it entails
c) Evidence that involves applying a systematic approach to record and value information gleaned from secondary data as it relates to the study at hand
d) Evidence that involves testing of a hypothesis under controlled conditions

Answer 1

Empirical evidence is reliable information obtained through direct observation or experimentation, essential in scientific and sociological research for objectivity and validation of theories.

Step-by-step explanation:

Empirical evidence is a type of information that is acquired through observation or experimentation. This evidence is grounded in objective, tangible realities that can be observed repeatedly, irrespective of who is doing the observing. In the context of the scientific method, empirical evidence is crucial as all hypotheses and theories must be rigorously tested against observable phenomena in the natural world.

Scientific research relies on empirical evidence to construct and validate scientific theories, which are comprehensive explanations of aspects of the natural world. These theories evolve from repeated observations and are substantiated by data collected through careful and systematic experimentation.

In sociological research, empirical evidence is used to study social situations in a way that is free from bias. By conducting experiments and gathering data from direct experiences, sociologists can analyze and understand social phenomena in a more objective manner. The reliability of this research is often enhanced through peer-review, where other experts in the field scrutinize and potentially replicate studies in order to validate their conclusions.