What does the academic term 'empirical' signify when describing scientific research?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. derived from observation, measurement, or experiment
- Step 1: Empirical evidence is information acquired by direct observation, experimentation, or systematic physical measurement.
- Step 2: It forms the cornerstone of the scientific method, contrasting with purely theoretical speculation or a priori reasoning.
- Step 3: Thus, 'derived from observation, measurement, or experiment' is the exact definition.
Answer
derived from observation, measurement, or experiment.
Why not the others: 'based on pure abstract philosophical deduction' describes rationalist or theoretical reasoning; 'untested and conjectural in nature' describes speculative hypotheses; 'accepted without verifiable proof' describes dogma.
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