HLTH 225: Health Behavior

An empirical article is an article that reports research based on actual observation or experiment; it may use either quantitative or qualitative research methods.

Need help determining if an article is empirical or not?

• In what kind of journal is this article published?
  • ​Empirical articles are published in academic or professional journals, such as Journal of American College Health, American Journal of Health Education, or JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association. 
• Does the article's abstract mention an observation, analysis or study?
  • ​Empirical research measures something, meaning empirical articles will typically contain data collection, survey results, interviews, or an assessment of some sort.
• Does the article contain the following sections:
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • References
• ​How many pages is the article?
  • ​Empirical articles are typically of substantial length- think at least 5+ pages.

Critically Evaluating Sources (what do we mean by "sources"?)

For college-level research, you'll want to consider using only the highest-quality information sources you can find. Between the internet and SU’s library, the “best” information can depend on the assignment. Here are some ways to determine the best information sources to lend support to your own research. 

Currency

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?

Relevance

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use? 
• Would you be comfortable using this source within your research?

Authority

• Who is the author/publisher/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
  • What are those credentials or affiliations?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

Accuracy

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?

Purpose

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?