Empirical Analysis

The word empirical denotes information gained by means of observation, experience, or experiment. Empirical data is data that is produced by an experiment or observation. A central concept in modern science and the scientific method is that all evidence must be empirical, or empirically based, that is, dependent on evidence or consequence that are observable by the senses.

In a second sense "empirical" in science may be synonymous with "experimental." In this sense, an empirical result is an experimental observation.
Empirical research is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct observation or experience. It is used to answer empirical questions, which must be precisely defined and answerable with data.

Empirical Cycle

A.D. de Groot's empirical cycle:

Observation: The collecting and organization of empirical facts; forming hypothesis.
Induction: Formulating hypothesis.
Deduction: Deducting consequences of hypothesis as testable predictions.
Testing: Testing the hypothesis with new empirical material.
Evaluation: Evaluating the outcome of testing.  

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_research