As it is already known, the term ’empirical’ is taught in basic sciences to address equations based on verification and not on validation. These equations are written generally on experience basis, derived from experimental observations, and not on logical theory. Similar thought process can be applied to EMPIRICAL RESEARCH, i.e. research purely based on observation. Statistical methods (like regression, chi square etc.) are not used to prove the results of research content or methodology to support the proposed hypotheses. General studies or phenomenon like why time always moves forward but never in backward withstand empirical research i.e. concerning with actual event and phenomenon. Observations are the way to support the theories of empirical research questions.
Let us take for instance, a small business entrepreneur will come to know to better that whether his business idea will bring him/her success for large scale production in market rather than following manual procedures. Qualitative and quantitative data generated from his small scale business will let him know better. So living with actual evidence will let him/her decide to whether further expand or not.
As mentioned above qualitative and quantitative both methods can be applied to empirical research. Qualitative analysis include evidences and observations to support the hypotheses which are not numerical. The analyses of this type are rather descriptive than predictive. The methods ac be semi-structured or unstructured. On the other hand Quantitative empirical research is the way to predict the theories numerically. They are used generally to predict the behavior, personal views, preferences. Polls, Surveys are the methods used in quantitative empirical research theory formation.