"Empirical studies are reports of original research. These include secondary analyses that test hypotheses by presenting novel analyses of data not considered or addressed in previous reports. They typically consist of distinct sections that reflect the stages in the research process and that appear in the following sequence: introduction: development of the problem under investigation, including its historical antecedents, and statement of the purpose of the investigation; method: description of the procedures used to conduct the investigation; results: report of the findings and analysis; and discussion: summary, interpretation, and implications of the results." (1)
To find empirical research based articles and reports:
(1) This is an excerpt from the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 6th edition. 2009, and is intended for educational use only.
For all other databases try the following strategy.