Empirití

Empirití is a neologistic term used in contemporary philosophy of science and social research to designate a methodological stance that seeks to integrate empirical observation with reflexive, first-person insight. The term combines the emphasis on evidence with an acknowledgment of the interpretive role of the researcher.

At its core, empirití advocates triangulation among empirical data, contextual interpretation, and researcher reflexivity. Proponents argue that knowledge about complex social phenomena requires not only measurable data but also the subjective meanings that participants attach to their actions and experiences. Consequently, empirití favors mixed-methods designs, participatory research, and reflective practices such as journaling and dialogic analysis.

Coined in the 2010s in debates within anthropology, sociology, and user research, empirití has been used to describe projects that combine structured observation, qualitative interviews, and phenomenological inquiry to produce more holistic explanations.

Critics contend that the approach risks undermining objectivity by elevating interpretive voice, and that it can be difficult to demonstrate reliability and validity. Supporters respond that reflexive protocols and transparent documentation can mitigate bias.

Empirití is related to empiricism, phenomenology, interpretivism, and pragmatism, but it is distinct in its explicit methodological prescription to balance data types and reflective practice within study design.

In application, empirití-informed studies may measure user metrics while collecting in-depth user narratives to inform design decisions; in ethnography, researchers attend closely to participants' lived experiences alongside observable behavior.