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Empirical Research in the Social Sciences and Education

Basic information, database tips, and other resources for finding empirical research, especially in Education, Psychology, and the Behavioral/Social Sciences.

Introduction

Empirical research is published in books and in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals. However, most library databases do not offer straightforward ways to locate empirical research. Below are tips for some of Penn State's most popular Education and Behavioral/Social Sciences databases. If you need further help, contact a Librarian at your location

Finding Empirical Research in LionSearch

LionSearch does not have a method for locating empirical research. Using "empirical" as a keyword will find some studies, but miss many others. Consider using one of the more specialized databases below. 

Finding Empirical Research in PsycINFO (ProQuest version, for Psychology topics)

To find empirical articles in PsycINFO (ProQuest version):

  • Use the "Advanced Search"
  • Type your keywords into the search boxes
  • Scroll down the page to "Methodology," and choose "Empirical Study"
  • Choose other limits, such as publication date, if needed
  • Click on the "Search" button

Finding Empirical Research in ERIC (ProQuest version, for Education topics)

ERIC (ProQuest version) 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 use the Advanced search in ERIC and add the following string to one of the search boxes:
analysis OR evaluation OR research OR studies
In the same row, change the "Anywhere" field to "All Subjects & Indexing: SUBJECT" to obtain results that have been tagged with these words.   
 
If you are interested in studies that employ a specific type of research methodology, use the ERIC's thesaurus to identify the best search terms for it. Some methodological terms that are commonly used in ERIC are:
 
  • Action Research
  • Case Studies
  • Data Analysis
  • Experiments
  • Focus Groups
  • Field Studies
  • Interviews
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Mixed Methods
  • Qualitative Research
  • Questionnaires
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Studies

Finding Empirical Research in Criminal Justice Abstracts (EBSCO version)

Criminal Justice Abstracts (EBSCO version) does not have a simple method to locate empirical research. Using "empirical" as a keyword will find some studies, but miss others.

If you are interested in studies that employ a specific type of research methodology, use the Criminal Justice Abstracts subject index to identify the best search terms for it. Some methodological terms that are commonly used in Criminal Justice Abstracts are:

  • Case Studies
  • Empirical Research
  • Interviews
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quantitative Research
  • Surveys
  • Research

Finding Empirical Research in Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest version)

Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest version) 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 use the Advanced search in Sociological Abstracts and add the following string to one of the search boxes:
analysis OR evaluation OR research OR studies
In the same row, change the "Anywhere" field to "All Subjects & Indexing: SUBJECT" to obtain results that have been tagged with these words.   
 
If you are interested in studies that employ a specific type of research methodology, use the Sociological Abstracts' thesaurus to identify the best search terms for it. Some methodological terms that are commonly used in Sociological Abstracts are:
 
  • Case Studies
  • Content Analysis
  • Discourse Analysis
  • Ethnography
  • Experiments
  • Fieldwork
  • Grounded Theory
  • Interviews
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Models
  • Observation
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Surveys

Finding Empirical Research in PubMed (NIH version, for health topics)

There are 2 ways to find empirical articles in PubMed (NIH version):

One technique is to limit your search results after you perform a search:

  • Type in your keywords and click on the "Search" button
  • To the left of your results, under "Article Types," check off the types of studies that interest you

Another alternative is to construct a more sophisticated search:

  • From PubMed's main screen, click on "Advanced" link underneath the search box
  • On the Advanced Search Builder screen type your keywords into the search boxes
  • Change one of the empty boxes from "All Fields" to "Publication Type"
  • To the right of Publication Type, click on "Show Index List" and choose methodologies that interest you. 
  • Click on the "Search" button

Finding Empirical Research in CINAHL (EBSCO version, for Nursing and Allied Health topics)

CINAHL (EBSCO version) 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 use the Advanced search in CINAHL and add the following string to one of the search boxes:

research OR studies. Then, in the same row, change "Selected a Field" to "SU Subject" to obtain results that have been tagged with these words.   

If you are interested in studies that employ a specific type of research methodology, use CINAHL's Subject Headings list to identify the best search terms for it. Some methodological terms that are commonly used in CINAHL are:

  • Clinical Trials
  • Empirical Research
  • Experimental Studies
  • Qualitative Studies
  • Quantitative Studies
  • Randomized Controlled Trials
  • Time and Motion Studies
A third technique is to search for "evidence-based practice" items. However, this method tends to find meta-analyses and systematic reviews that combine the results of numerous studies, rather than the original studies such literature reviews are based upon. Some professors and practitioners count these as empirical materials, while others do not. To find evidence-based practice materials in CINAHL:
 
  • Use the "Advanced Search"
  • Type your keywords into the search boxes
  • Under "Limit your results," check off "Evidence-Based Practice"
  • Choose other limits, such as published date, if needed
  • Click on the "Search" button

Finding Empirical Research in Worldwide Political Science Abstracts (ProQuest version)

Worldwide Political Science Abstracts (ProQuest version) 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 use the Advanced search in Worldwide Political Science Abstracts and add the following string to one of the search boxes: analysis OR research OR studies. Then, in the same row, change the "Anywhere" field to "All Subjects & Indexing: SUBJECT" to obtain results that have been tagged with these words. 

If you are interested in studies that employ a specific type of research methodology, use Worldwide Political Science Abstracts' thesaurus to identify the best search terms for it. Some methodological terms that are commonly used in WPSA are:

  • Case Studies
  • Evaluation
  • Experiments
  • Interviews
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Models
  • Public Opinion Research
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Questionnaires
  • Surveys

Finding Empirical Research in Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (ProQuest version)

Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (ProQuest version) 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 use the Advanced search in LLBA and add the following string to one of the search boxes: analysis OR research OR studies. Then, in the same row, change the "Anywhere" field to "All Subjects & Indexing: SUBJECT" to obtain results that have been tagged with these words. 

If you are interested in studies that employ a specific type of research methodology, use LLBA's thesaurus to identify the best search terms for it. Some methodological terms that are commonly used in LLBA are:

  • Action Research
  • Case Studies
  • Computer Modeling and Simulation
  • Fieldwork
  • Interviews
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Surveys