empirijski

Empirijski is an adjective used in several South Slavic languages to denote something based on observation or experience rather than theory. It corresponds to the English word empirical and is commonly used in academic and scientific contexts to describe data, methods, or conclusions that derive from experience, measurement, or experiment.

Etymology and coverage: the term originates from the Greek empeiria (experience) and has been transmitted into Slavic languages through Latin and other historical linguistic channels. In individual languages the form varies, with common variants such as empirički, empirični or similar spellings, reflecting local phonology and morphology. The root emphasizes reliance on observed evidence rather than purely theoretical reasoning.

Usage and nuances: empirijski is applied across disciplines, including the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, to indicate an approach, finding, or source that rests on empirical observation. It often appears in phrases describing data, research design, or conclusions as being derived from experience and measurement. The term is typically contrasted with theoretical or deductive approaches, signifying a focus on verifiable information obtained through observation, experimentation, or systematic data collection.

See also: empiricism, empirical research, epistemology, scientific method.