Introduction
One of the early choices a researcher must make when planning a journal article is whether to pursue a conceptual or an empirical route. This decision is not merely stylistic — it affects the structure, methodology, purpose, and even the chances of acceptance in a journal. Many Indian PhD scholars, especially in the social sciences and education fields, struggle with this distinction during their publication journey.
This blog explores the key differences, use cases, and journal expectations surrounding choosing between conceptual and empirical articles, so that scholars can align their submissions with both academic norms and research goals.
What is a Conceptual Article?
A conceptual article is primarily theoretical. It builds an argument, critiques existing ideas, proposes new models, or synthesizes theories. Rather than collecting data, a conceptual paper works with concepts — it maps frameworks, suggests relationships, or refines definitions based on literature.
In Indian academia, these are commonly seen in disciplines such as philosophy, education, management, law, and even emerging interdisciplinary fields. However, journals expect a high level of originality and clarity in such submissions. Simply summarising theories is not enough — the scholar must show thought leadership or offer a novel synthesis.
What is an Empirical Article?
An empirical article reports on original research based on observation, experimentation, or data collection. This is the dominant model in science and engineering fields, but it’s also widely used in sociology, psychology, economics, and education research in India.
It follows a structured methodology and includes sections like objectives, hypothesis, methods, results, analysis, and discussion. Importantly, the strength of an empirical article lies in its data integrity and the justification of methods. A well-designed empirical paper can make significant contributions even with modest findings, provided the research process is sound.
When to Choose a Conceptual Article
You may consider writing a conceptual article when:
- You are exploring a new theoretical model not yet tested
- Your study is at a pre-empirical stage (e.g., developing constructs)
- The literature shows conceptual confusion that you can clarify
- Your insights stem from deep literature synthesis rather than new data
Indian PhD scholars in disciplines like education or public administration often begin with conceptual models, especially if data collection is restricted due to field access or ethical barriers. However, such papers must be rooted in current literature and not merely personal opinions.
When to Choose an Empirical Article
An empirical article is suitable when:
- You have collected primary or secondary data through systematic methods
- Your research questions require validation or testing
- Your findings are measurable, observable, or quantifiable
- You aim to generalise findings within or beyond your study context
In the Indian context, research funded by government bodies like ICSSR, UGC, or AICTE often expects data-backed outputs. Private universities, too, increasingly prefer empirical submissions to boost journal rankings and NAAC compliance.
Journal Preferences and Review Criteria
Many peer-reviewed journals clearly state whether they accept conceptual papers, empirical studies, or both. It is critical to read a journal’s Aims and Scope section before submission.
For example:
- A UGC CARE-listed education journal may welcome both types, but prefer empirical work for faster review.
- A Scopus-indexed law journal may prioritise conceptual clarity and jurisprudential depth.
- Science and technology journals almost exclusively publish empirical findings.
The review process also differs. Conceptual articles are judged more on argumentation, novelty, and coherence. Empirical articles are scrutinised for methodological rigour, data presentation, and alignment of objectives with results.
Challenges Faced by Indian Scholars
Indian PhD scholars, particularly those in Tier-2 and Tier-3 institutions or working professionals in private universities, often face the following challenges:
- Lack of guidance on whether their work qualifies as empirical or conceptual
- Limited access to training in academic writing structures
- Pressure to publish quickly, sometimes leading to mismatched formats
- Rejection due to misalignment with journal expectations
Choosing the wrong type can result in desk rejection, even if the core idea is strong. This highlights the need for training and mentorship in publication planning.
How to Make the Decision
Here are a few guiding considerations:
- Review your current research stage: Are you collecting or analysing data, or are you still shaping your theoretical lens?
- Examine your objective: Are you trying to explain a phenomenon, propose a theory, or test a hypothesis?
- Check your discipline norms: Engineering, medicine, and management often favour empirical work; philosophy and legal studies lean conceptual.
- Read past issues of your target journal to see the dominant format
- Talk to your supervisor or an experienced peer to cross-check alignment
It’s perfectly acceptable to write both types during your PhD journey — but not within the same paper.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinction between conceptual and empirical articles is not just a technical matter — it reflects academic maturity. Indian researchers, especially in evolving and multidisciplinary fields, must learn to make this distinction early in their publication journey. Choosing the right type of article ensures better alignment with journal expectations, clearer communication of ideas, and a smoother peer-review process. In the long run, it also helps build a balanced and credible research profile.