School Counseling

Need to find a specific journal?

Use this search box to find journals in the collection. Search by Title, ISSN, Subject Area, or Publisher.

Have the DOI (digital object identifier) for an article?

Use the LibKeyio search to see if we have access.  LibKey will link you to the article!

Definition of an empirical study: An empirical research article reports the results of a study that uses data derived from actual observation or experimentation. Empirical research articles are examples of primary research.

Parts of a standard empirical research article: (articles will not necessary use the exact terms listed below.)

• Abstract ... A paragraph-length description of what the study includes.
• Introduction...Includes a statement of the hypotheses for the research and a review of other research on the topic.
• Method ...A description of how the research was conducted, such as:
           ◊ Who are participants
           ◊  Design of the study 
           ◊  What the participants did 
           ◊  What measures were used
• Results...Describes the outcomes of the measures of the study.
• Discussion...Contains the interpretations and implications of the study.
• References...Contains citation information on the material cited in the report. (also called bibliography or works cited)

Characteristics of an Empirical Article:

• Empirical articles will include charts, graphs, or statistical analysis.
• Empirical research articles are usually substantial, maybe from 8-30 pages long.
• There is always a bibliography found at the end of the article.

Type of publications that publish empirical studies:

• Empirical research articles are published in scholarly or academic journals
  These journals are also called “peer-reviewed,” or “refereed” publications.

Databases that contain empirical research: (selected list only)

• MACKsearch add these words to your search terms: 
  method* or research or research design or survey* or data or result*
• PsycINFO limit your searches by Form/Content Type to Empirical Study
• ERIC limit to Pub. Type to Reports - Research/Technical
  Change one dropdown box to Record. This finds REPORTS--RESEARCH.​