Science vs Social Sciences
Between Science and social sciences, there exist a recognizable difference, despite the fact that both are categorized as two types of science. Simply science includes natural science, pure and physical science. Social sciences, on the other hand, include a number of disciplines such as sociology, political science, geography, demography, economics, etc. This highlights that the subject matter brings about the most significant difference between the two sciences. While science in general, pays attention to the natural world, in social sciences, the focus is on the human being in the social and cultural context.
What is Science?
Science can simply be defined as the study of the physical and the natural world. This is distinguished into three fields of study as pure science, natural science, and physical science. In all three fields, a very scientific methodology is employed in order to bring new theories and laws. Hence, the level of empiricism is very high in natural sciences. There are also general laws such as the law of gravity, which is applied to all situations in research. The reliance on quantitative data can also be seen in this branch of science. Also, the usage of the experimental method is frequent. In science, the accuracy of a theory is proven by redoing the test. It is believed that if the same results can be obtained in all attempts the theory is accurate. However, in most occasions, along with new laws of science, theories become disproven. Since the subject material of science is different from social sciences, research takes place in controlled settings in most occasions. The findings and data obtained are also very reliable and accurate.
What are Social Sciences?
Social sciences focus on the human being; the individual and group behaviour in different settings. This includes a number of disciplines such as economics, psychology, sociology, geography, history, political science, etc. Unlike in the case of natural sciences, in social sciences it is difficult to employ a highly scientific methodology. This is mainly because we are dealing with human beings who are very diverse. In social sciences, both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used. In some research,both are used by the researcher to increase the reliability of data. This is considered as triangulation. Different methods and techniques are used to gather information. They are interview method, observation method, surveys, case studies, etc. Also, in social sciences, it is very difficult to conduct research in controlled settings. This is because when people are aware that theyare being watched, the behaviour naturally changes. Then the validity of data becomes doubtful. In any case, unlike in science, it is difficult to obtain completely reliable and accurate data. This can be considered as one of the reasons why social sciences do not possess a similar level of empiricism as science.
What is the difference between Science and Social Sciences?
• Science is the study of the physical and natural world whereas social sciences study human behaviour in different settings.
• In science,the accuracy and validity of data are very high in comparison to social sciences.
• In science, a controlled setting can be used for experimental research whereas, in social sciences, this is not possible.
• In science, a theory can be tested again and again yet acquire the same results but, in social sciences, this can be difficult.
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They go hand in hand. Both are important.
they are both relevant to her experience. Her amenities will follow any type of field to do with her career.
seems there are more laws and conformaties in social science rather than natural science
Hi Janie, Social Science is like mental in human beings, where as Natural Science is your environment.
As stated above in social sciences conducting research for Social Sciences is nearly impossible in a controlled setting. This being the case, the behavior of the test subject become unreliable in terms of the empirical data collected as it is skewed due to the lack of environment control. The data becomes as completely inaccurate as it is unreliable.
I would have to say that one of the biggest difference between Science and social science is the simple fact that one studies human behavior on many levels. Science itself seems to need more evidence in presenting a case.
This helped break it all down for me. I enjoyed this a great deal!
they are really the same human behavior between science and social science
Interesting knowledge. Science can be broken down into many parts. This helps me understand on deeper levels.
this is very interesting to know. millions of people go to therapist or read statistics, but is it really as accurate as they make it sound? science is broken down in so many parts, its no wonder you can go to several doctors, and get different results from each one. Natural science is base on facts seemingly and would be very hard indeed to disprove,
It’s not possible for social science to be used for experimental research but it is for the other. It’s hard for a theory to be tested again and again and come up with the same results but it can in regular science.
when the study at North western university and Michigan university studied the human behavior at a ” prejudice” age. It was amazing to see that the human beings were not “taught” prejudice, it was in stilled in them. these little human beings, didn’t care if someone was watching them, they knew what and how to shame someone. They also knew how to include and who to include in their group. Who to leave out.
So I find it hard to believe the SS you can’t do experiments. I think its how the experiment is brought up and what the research is trying to prove.
Very good point indeed. Alot of our prejudice’s we are not “taught”. We are more often than not “born into” it.
Just learning the difference’s and the similarties of science and social science. Social science deals with the human behavior’s as science deals with experiments that can be tested and tested again and again and come up with the same results.
there are a lot of things that I am learning through science and social sciences that deals with human behavior and experiments in regards to the human behavior in our society that is just amazing to me because it makes me think about behaviors that are contributed from mental diseases that are hereditary. I am glad that I am taking this Liberal Arts Course.
there is so much I am learning about science and all the parts that are involved with this course.
I am learning a lot about science. I’m enjoying taking this course.
Learning the differences between Social Science and Natural Science so much to learn. Looking forward to this class.
I learn that Natural science has reliable and accurate data
i cant wait to kik off class
Natural Science is a methodical and has a level of empericism, evidence based. and uses quatitative data, it’s accurate and done in a controlled setting. Social Science focuses on humans and humans are very diverse therefore difficult to employ the high degree of methedology seen in NS. less empericism. It can be quantitive as well as qualitative , but it is difficult to control the enviroment, because behaviors change. This makes results in testing unreliable and inaccurate.
I am really enjoying this class and cant wait to learn more!
I absolutely love this course i’m learning new things i didn’t know about.
This is very interesting and I can’t wait to dive deeper.
In natural science researchers can perform experiments many times and still get
the same results.
The difference between natural science and social sciences is that in natural science the researchers can do
experiments many times and still get the same result, also it can be dome in a controlled environment .
Whereas in social sciences it is not possible to do a controlled environment experiment because when
people know that they are being watched they do not act the same as if they where in a public setting.
Social Science is to study human experience and behavior. Science is to study controlled settings. They both have a lot of similarities and differences but none the less are very important for the study of everything.
Both Natural science and Social sciences are alike in many ways, however natural science is easier to conduct controlled experiments, where social science cannot be. I personally think natural science will be a more interesting lense to focus on, but cant wait to learn more about both.
I would like to delve more into social science because it is interesting to study human behavior and the results may vary.
This course is getting interesting…
For me Liberal arts is getting very interesting it touches topics that I have always had a very strong like for. There is a very strong difference between the two subjects natural-nature social-society
These are two very interesting subjects because of the content of learning about two different science cultures. The two represent two different branches. Social-society,Natural-nature.
The two subjects touch on one base but two different realms. Social-society,Natural-nature.
I never realized that the sciences were so disparate, both titled sciences but very different
Both do studies but on separate entities one human begins the other natural world but both require comparison in some way or form.
I enjoy learning about both sciences the similarities and the differences are very interesting.The social science and dealing with human behavior. The natural science and dealing with studying the natural world.
thank you this information was helpful
very help info
In my study of the two lenses of liberal arts,I discover that there are more differences between the science in its three components:Pure,Natural,and Physical and social sciences.
They go together but cannot be the same.
Though Science is the study of the physical and natural world while social sciences study human behavior in different settings, they both have to work together because it is our environment that triggers our behaviors.
very informative. I love this course!
As I have been looking into the lenses I am starting to understand and see the differences between the science lens and the social science lens and why the research methods are so different
They both are really the same, where as science you need data, and social science
you also require data. However how you obtain the data are different, in science you retrieve the data by doing many theory’s and coming up with results, social science you retrieve data, however your theory is you first. Just like with my job, doing case plans with my clients that is collecting data in a social setting and also science as well
I never really understood the differences till now.
I understand the difference better now
these two sciences are very interesting to compare, however I enjoy the social lens more.
Very interesting knowledge, I enjoyed evry bit of it. Now I can see things and understand them better
Social Science deals relatively with human function and behavior. Natural Science deals more with nature. I believe that they both somewhat center around humans as nature can have a certain impact on human…negative or positive.
This article displayed clearly the differences. I have a much better understanding.
It’s very interesting information. I enjoyed the part on the diffrent methods and techniques for gathering information
Interesting article. Explains detailed the difference between both sciences
I love how easy this is article is so easy to understand and how easy they explained the difference between social science and just plain science.
i love the subjects about social science it explain alot and more and iam looking enjoy more to and learn more
Both are the same in a lot of ways, but I would focus more on social science which has to do with our well being as a whole, natural science does deal more the nature of things and social science has a lot to do with the World issues .
Interesting article. Explains difference between both sciences
This article helped me to understand the meaning of both science and social science but also helped me to determine what both had to offer. Put into perspective for me the differences between the both sciences and also how they could very well be somewhat similar
Im more attracted to Social Science the Science in general. I rather the complexities of Social behaviors then the rigid scientific theories.
Social science studies the behavior of human beings and your outcome can be affect by many outside factors that would change the results.
Nature science you can do any can observe and experiment in a controlled setting and get accurate results.
It clarified the difference between the two sciences. One of the biggest differences I found interesting was, placing humans in a controlled environment is not possible because the results aren’t authentic/accurate. When humans are aware they are being watched, they instinctively act differently or unnatural vs if they weren’t being watched. Making any data that is collected unreliable.
They seems to be very similar to each other.
Social science is the study of humans and society, natural science is science. Its experiments and guesses with nature.
The article was most informative.
“In science, a controlled setting can be used for experimental research whereas, in social sciences, this is not possible.”
In certain cases, this is actually incorrect. There’s such a thing as virtual economics, where economies are studied through the use of virtual environments such as video games. Despite people being aware they’re in such an environment, on a large enough scale there’s been enough backing by economists with evidence that suggests this doesn’t actually impede the results much. It may be hard to believe for some, but the modern world provides answers in ways people don’t always (or may not want to) consider.
very interesting topic, I am learning things I never knew.
social science can’t use experiments but natural science or regular science can and will. They are very important in todays life.
both are important but the testing is completely different
Ok, so I think I have a better understanding of social, and natural science. science is the study of the physical and natural world, and natural science is the study of human behavior. I found this article to be very interesting.
I think that these lenses are alike in the sense that they both use research methods like control variables and set parameters for experimentation. I think they differ greatly because even with all the proper methods and information only natural scientific data can be predictable and fixed. Social science is unpredictable because human behavior is a variable that is inconsistent. Given a study on human behavior there is no way to study a small sampling of subjects without “containing” the experiment or interference by allowing subjects knowledge.
I think after doing some research and reading I have a better understanding of both social and natural science. Of all the research I never knew how important these two lenses are and can never have to much information about these two lenses.
I actually enjoyed this article itreally helped me to understand the 2 lenses better. while social science is all about studying people natural science is about the world we live in.
I did not realize how important social and natural science were until I had the chance to read about them during this course.
Though Science is the study of the physical and natural world while social sciences study human behavior in different settings, they both have to work together because it is our environment that triggers our behaviors.I did not realize how important social and natural science were until I had the chance to read about them during this course. On a great note, I actually enjoyed this article literally helped me to understand the 2 lenses better. while social science is all about studying people natural science is about the world we live in.
science can simply e defined as the study of physical and the natural world
Hi Demetria
I did not know science had number of discipline. Also that science fields physical, natural science, pure science.
Hi Demetria
Social science focus on the human being individual and group behavior. Natural science the study of the physical world. In natural science the data must be correct.
The Definition Of:
Social Science- Is the studies particularly in the fields of study such as Economics, Political Science, Law, Geography, Education, History, Linguistics and Anthropology!
The Definition Of:
Natural Science- Natural Science includes areas in which the areas are studied by Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and for the last characteristics of Natural Science Astronomy is also a specialized characteristic that Natural Science does have.
I have noticed that in both definitions they both pertain the word “Science”, both subjects do have some common similarities!!!!!
This article explains the difference between natural and social science. it explains the discipline derived from each science and why both are important and necessary.
I have learned a lot about social and natural sciece in this class. The difference between the two are Social science is to understand behaviorists and assist in treatments and natural science is why is it happening and try to resolve the problem. They both are good and both have something to do with science
Social Science is a mental situation in human beings, where as Natural Science is in our world we live in.
science and social sciences have more differences than commonalities
Science is mainly more different than social science because science relies heavily on data and experiments.
Both humainaities and social science studies the society and human relationship as a whole.the social science focuses on the interaction of humans and society.Natural science on the other hand focus on the physical world.
That is exactly what I had to say in my chart as well , also that scientists have to experiment, where as social science they use phenomena and don’t do experiments to find out information, they are so different in so many ways, it is so crazy, stuff I never knew about
I believe that both are the same, whereas you need data in science, data, and social sciences.
However, if you get the data are different, you recover the data by making many theories and arriving with results in science. In the social sciences, you recover the data; moreover, your theory is you first.
I really never knew the many differences between Natural Science, and Social Science until I read until I read this article. I must say that reading this was article very informative, and educational. I look forward to learning more. Thanks for sharing!!
While Natural science does into so much depth in regards to conducting experiments and or analyzing research, Social science, as I understand it, may easily be researched just by simply watching, listening, and being aware of certain traits, or characteristics of the Human beings that have make up much of this particular lens. In my opinion Psychological observation, and with a wide variety of aspect in the social lens, along with a vast portion concentrated on humans behavior, may hold more evidence than what is known to be true.
social science in the making, right here on this page! thanks for your contributions.
Being that I am starting to understand liberal arts a little better, it is more intriging to find out how different those two lenses are but at the same time, I can see how they work hand and hand. The best way I can describe it would be with a book. A book, depending on who makes it, is paper put together with some kind of hard cardboard to create the book. I connect the plain book with science. Now the words that are then put in the book, that is Social science. Although the book and the ink to create the words are different, they work together to create something bigger. Something we can use to read and understand what ever is put in that book which to me is how not only these two lenses connect, but all lenses conect.
They do go hand in hand. I believe we are finally realizing that the integration of both could save the world.
Social Science is more then less how we act, how we mentally feel, how we learn, how we listen, what we believe in, what we think, how often we think about what we think, and how we succeed in life.
Science is more the physical feeling, chemistry, nature, how things physically happen, and how things grow physically.
Both have similarities but I am more into natural science. It is more interesting to me so see natural things grow.
Chryell Scott
May 19,2021
Understanding the difference between science and social science is that science is the study of physical and the natural research which you research as many times you want and social science focus on the human being helping you to understand political sciences and it is very difficult to employ a highly scientific methodology.
This was very interesting reading and i am glad that i read and learn the difference between science and social science.
I think science is the best because we rely on it more than on social science, even though they are related.
Science has always been a fascination of mines ever since I grew up watching tv shows like the transformers, doctor who, captin bucky o-hair, and space ghost. Thank you for this interesting article.
I working towards my degree in political science so social science is very important to my field of study, but I also know that the other sciences are just important to me as well. For me to make a well informed decision I must be able to look at what physical experiments are telling me, and then take that information to apply that to how it effects the lives of every human being and vice versa.
Science main difference from social science is that one study human beings and the other natural events. I had really learn a lot and I’m so happy to be in the class with you all.
This article helped me understand the difference between Science and Social Sciences. Science is study of the natural world while Social Science is the study of the human being and its group behavior… etc. I believe this is very important to understand how these two -sciences differentiate.
life is what u make it if you have a positive mind knowing that u can acomplish your goals u will succeed studying people in a way that no one else has done is like social science its like you can be one way with someone for a few weeks and they treat you like ur noone because you being the better person and wanting to be good show a person a way of goodness and the other takes an advantage of you but then u turn the table and become a person who shows u care no more and treat them like there noone and that person loves you like people are backwards they want good but then they react diffrent so some humans got a mind that are reverse but things in life like science you plant u water and give it the nutrients that it needs and it grows in order u give it love and u can have best fruit that any one has ever had because science made a order to where it understands what needs to be done in order to be fruitfull does thast make sense or no?
I am eager to learn more from this standpoint. I had absolutely no idea that prejudice wasn’t something taught, but something instinctively we do on our own. Thanks for this!
Science can use a controlled setting for experiments that can be tested more than once and get the same results; Social Sciences are different settings than Science, Science is the study of the physical and natural world, where Social Science is the study of human behavior in different settings just as it stated above.
I found out in this article that you cannot obtain data in a controlled setting in social science because in this science you are studying humans and if someone knows that you are watching them for scientific information, they act differently. where as in natural science you can obtain data in a controlled setting because you are obtaining your information though experiments with pure and physical science. Through social science you can get different results on your data each time you study it. Through natural science you can get the same results each time you study your data, which makes your results acurate.
The study of liberal arts is so interesting, I have gained so much knowledge about the four lenses. This article is very helpful and explains the difference and commonalities.
I have learned so much just in a few weeks from my liberal arts class.