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empíricoempírica

Empíricoempírica is a term used in Spanish-language scholarly discourse to denote a reflexive or self-referential form of empirical inquiry in which the objects of study are empirical methods, datasets, or the practices of inquiry themselves. In this usage, researchers examine how observation, measurement, and data analysis shape knowledge, rather than treating data as a neutral recipient of theoretical claims. The term signals a critique of naive empiricism by highlighting the social and procedural conditions under which evidence is produced and interpreted.

Etimologically, it is a portmanteau of empírico and empírica, both derived from Latin empiricus, and is used

Its core features include reflexivity—scrutiny of the researcher’s role and the methods used to generate evidence;

Applications span meta-research, science and technology studies, and qualitative inquiry into research cultures. It is used

Critics argue that the term can be vague or tautological if not clearly bounded by concrete evaluative

mainly
in
Spanish-language
contexts
to
emphasize
gendered
and
methodological
dimensions
of
theory
and
method.
The
term
is
a
neologism
rather
than
a
long-standing
canonical
label,
and
appears
in
discussions
about
reflexivity,
meta-empiricism,
and
methodology
within
philosophy
of
science,
sociology
of
science,
and
education
research.
methodological
circularity
where
data
inform
methods
and
methods
guide
data
collection;
and
an
emphasis
on
practice,
context,
and
the
politics
of
evidence
as
much
as
on
outcomes.
to
analyze
how
instruments,
protocols,
peer
review,
funding,
and
data
curation
shape
what
is
taken
as
valid
knowledge,
as
well
as
to
assess
the
reliability
and
transferability
of
findings.
criteria.
Proponents
counter
that
it
helps
illuminate
hidden
assumptions
in
empirical
work
and
fosters
more
transparent
methodological
reflection.