After drawing a brief history of audiovisual translation (AVT), the paper gives a definition of empirical research and it analyzes when, how and why empirical research started to develop and grow systematically in this field of research. The paper also emphasizes the role of empirical research as a tool enabling us to know more about the actual effectiveness of AVT on its audiences as well as to develop awareness of the audience preferences and viewing habits. Consequently, it functions as an important purveyor of knowledge providing a solid basis for shaping quality and tailor made products suiting diverse types of end-users – be them standard or vulnerable users.
