UGC-NET-English

Empirical research is a systematic process that goes like this:

1. Hypothesis formulation – define a testable statement/question.
2. Data collection – gather empirical evidence.
3. Analysis – process the data, test the hypothesis.
4. Validation – check whether results support the hypothesis (internal validity, reliability).
5. Findings/Conclusion – state results and implications.

We match the steps above with the given letters:
B → Hypothesis
A → Data Collection
E → Analysis
C → Validation
D → Findings

So the correct order is:
B → A → E → C → D