The term empirical is best described as information derived from what source?

The term empirical is best described as information derived from what source?

• A. opinion
• B. tradition
• C. authority
• D. observation or experiment

Answer: (D)

Empirical means information that comes from experience through observation and testing. This kind of evidence is produced when you gather data by watching, measuring, and conducting experiments, and it can be checked and reproduced by others. That’s why it’s the best description here: the other sources rely on beliefs, customs, or the authority of someone rather than data from the real world. Opinions are personal beliefs, tradition reflects long-held practices, and authority depends on what someone in a position of power or expertise says—none of which guarantees data that can be observed or verified through experiments. For example, measuring how different fertilizers affect crop yield provides empirical evidence because it’s based on observable results that others could replicate.

Empirical means information that comes from experience through observation and testing. This kind of evidence is produced when you gather data by watching, measuring, and conducting experiments, and it can be checked and reproduced by others.

That’s why it’s the best description here: the other sources rely on beliefs, customs, or the authority of someone rather than data from the real world. Opinions are personal beliefs, tradition reflects long-held practices, and authority depends on what someone in a position of power or expertise says—none of which guarantees data that can be observed or verified through experiments. For example, measuring how different fertilizers affect crop yield provides empirical evidence because it’s based on observable results that others could replicate.