Statistical: Quantitative Research
Statistical: Quantitative Research
Statistical: Quantitative Research
Non-empirical research
Non-empirical (theoretical) research is an approach that involves the
development of theory as opposed to using observation and experimentation.
As such, non-empirical research seeks solutions to problems using existing
knowledge as its source. This, however, does not mean that new ideas and
innovations cannot be found within the pool of existing and established
knowledge. Non-empirical research is not an absolute alternative to
empirical research because they may be used together to strengthen a
research approach. Neither one is less effective than the other since they
have their particular purpose in science. Typically empirical research
produces observations that need to be explained; then theoretical research
tries to explain them, and in so doing generates empirically testable
hypotheses; these hypotheses are then tested empirically, giving more
observations that may need further explanation; and so on. See Scientific
method.
A simple example of a non-empirical task is the prototyping of a new drug
using a differentiated application of existing knowledge; another is the
development of a business process in the form of a flow chart and texts
where all the ingredients are from established knowledge. Much
of cosmological research is theoretical in nature. Mathematics research does
not rely on externally available data; rather, it seeks to
prove theorems about mathematical objects.