An empirical description is what?

Science is the sphere of human activity, thanks to which we have such a high standard of living (if compared with the past). It uses many different methods. One of them is an empirical description. This is the language fixation of data detected by observation. How is the method used and implemented in practice? These and other issues we will consider in the framework of this article.

general information

It should be understood that the empirical description refers to the scientific knowledge of the world. Since ancient times man has used one of the most important components of such research - observation. In this case, this refers to a purposeful perception of phenomena in objective reality, during which knowledge is obtained about the external aspects of the properties and relationships that the observed objects have. The empirical description is a method of scientific knowledge of the world, in which the fixation of information is carried out with the help of natural language (although later artificial ones were also used). Modernity has made its own adjustments. Now sensual descriptions are translated into signs, concepts, schemes, graphs and figures. In other words, they take the form that will be most convenient for the subsequent rational study.

Scientific observation

By this we mean not just passive contemplation of the world. Scientific observation is a special kind of activity that includes the presence of a knowledgeable person, usually a scientist, an object and means. The latter include instruments and material carriers for the transmission of information. An important feature of scientific observation is the purposeful nature of its implementation. This is due to the fact that there are preliminary ideas and hypotheses that form the ultimate goal. This is an important difference from ordinary contemplation. Observation and empirical description are closely related directions, which ultimately consolidate and transmit the results with the help of iconic means. Further processing is then carried out, which includes classification, systematization and generalization.

Types of description

There are only two of them:

• Quality.
• Quantitative.

A qualitative description is an empirical method, in which figures are not used to refine the data. As an example, you can give the following definition: the apple is green. Quantitative description implies the implementation of activities using the language of mathematics. It is also proposed to conduct a variety of measurement procedures. In a narrow sense, the quantitative description implies only the fixation of the obtained data. With more careful work, there are also empirical relationships between the results obtained.

Comparison

It is the basis of the measurement operation. By comparison, similar properties or sides of objects are found. For convenience, certain units of measurement are used, which make it possible to express characteristics from the quantitative approach. This entails the extensive use of mathematical tools. In a number of areas of science one can meet with comparative methods (linguistics, biology, and the like). If we talk about such a concept as empirical methods, the description is equally necessary for observation and comparison, in order to carry out a close connection with the experiment being conducted. For the greatest completeness of knowledge, it is desirable to intervene in the processes that occur. This can also be done to obtain specific information. For qualitative comparison, the conditions of the study can be created and controlled. This has a positive effect when multiple data validation is necessary.

Interaction

When the researcher actively interferes with the uniform flow of the natural process, and also creates artificial conditions, this does not mean that he himself influences the properties of the object, which are then attributed to nature. Examples include light pressure, radioactivity, conditioned reflexes, and the like. All of them are not inventions or inventions of specific people. But at the same time they were revealed in extreme situations, the creator of which was the man himself. The procedures for obtaining and describing empirical data may vary, they will create new combinations of interactions, but the properties will remain the same. From this follows an interesting point. The characteristics obtained during the experiment can be simultaneously considered in two plans: from the point of view of human activity and nature. How is this to be understood? We give an analogy: the researcher asks questions, and nature gives answers to them. The cognitive role of experiments is not only that they give people new information, but also in the appearance of new riddles and problems, which, in turn, require new research.

Description of facts

This is an important stage for the development of scientific knowledge. The description of the facts is carried out with a view to their subsequent study and research, as well as the formulation of conclusions. Therefore, this task is more than responsible. And not least because the researcher is hanging the danger of subjectivity and unilateral consideration of developments. To understand the importance, let's answer the following questions: what does it mean to describe the fact and how this process should be carried out? When an investigator describes a fact, it means that he answers the question of what he is, determines the properties that are inherent in him. Classifying the information, make a certain gradation. Due to a number of features, various forms and means of empirical cognition are distinguished. At the same time, the researcher is entrusted with the task of dealing with all the nuances and aspects with which he deals. This can be prevented by the fact that a person works by himself. Therefore, to increase the efficiency and obtain a better result, there is a merger in research groups. Of course, this is not a guarantee that all facts will be described as well as possible. But at the same time, this indicates an improvement in the quality of work and a more effective examination of the investigated fact as a whole.

Conclusion

Science is the basis of human society. An empirical description is a basis that has been used since ancient times and has not lost its significance to this day. It is necessary not only for scientists, but it can be useful to all members of society. It may seem an exaggeration if not for the facts - people of mental labor who are working and creating something new, move progress forward. For example, there is no need to go far: it is enough to recall, for example, programmers, engineers of complex equipment or inventors. Of course, a large amount of knowledge is necessary for their work, but the benefits to society are obvious. Therefore, if there is a desire to make life better, we should not neglect the possibility of learning and growth, in which the empirical method plays an important role.