Questions: In the context of psychological science, what does empirical evidence refer to? (A) Information obtained through observation and experimentation. (B) Personal anecdotes (C) Statistical analysis only (D) Theoretical assumptions

The answer is (A) Information obtained through observation and experimentation.

Empirical evidence refers to data and information acquired by observation or experimentation. This is the cornerstone of scientific research, as it relies on observable and measurable evidence to form conclusions and validate theories.

Personal anecdotes are individual stories or experiences that are subjective and not systematically collected or analyzed. They do not qualify as empirical evidence because they lack the rigorous methodology required for scientific validation.

While statistical analysis is a crucial tool in interpreting empirical data, it is not empirical evidence itself. Empirical evidence must first be collected through observation or experimentation before it can be analyzed statistically.

Theoretical assumptions are ideas or hypotheses that form the basis for further investigation. They are not empirical evidence, as they have not yet been tested or observed in practice. Empirical evidence is used to support or refute these assumptions.