What does the word Empirical mean when referring to data gathered from a scientific investigation, would the answer be based on a single experiment generated from many experiments verifiable by observation or cannot be changed?

Answer 1

The term "empirical" refers to knowledge or data that is based on observation or experimentation rather than theory or pure logic. In the context of scientific investigation, empirical data is gathered through systematic observation or experimentation.

When you refer to empirical data generated from a single experiment, it's important to note that while a single experiment can provide empirical evidence, the strength and validity of empirical conclusions typically rely on the reproducibility and consistency of results across multiple experiments. Good scientific practice involves verifying findings through repeated experiments and observations to ensure that the results are reliable and not due to chance or anomalies.

Thus, empirical findings are generally expected to be supported by a body of evidence obtained from multiple experiments that can be observed and verified. They are not considered immutable or unchangeable; scientific understanding evolves as new observations and experiments provide additional insights or challenge existing theories. Therefore, while a single experiment can produce empirical data, the term is more robust when referring to a collection of data that has been validated across various conditions and studies.