What is the Difference Between Science and Social Sciences?

The main difference between science and social sciences lies in their subject matter and methodology. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

1. Subject matter: Science is the study of the physical and natural world, focusing on objects, organisms, and the laws that govern them. Social sciences, on the other hand, are devoted to the study of societies and the relationships among individuals within those societies. They include disciplines such as sociology, political science, geography, demography, and economics.
2. Methodology: Science employs a systematic and scientific methodology to study the natural world, often involving controlled experiments, empirical data, and testable hypotheses. Social sciences also use empirical data and testable theories, but they often rely on qualitative research methods, such as social critique or symbolic interpretation, in addition to quantitative methods.
3. Accuracy and validity of data: Scientific data is generally considered more accurate and reliable than social science data due to the controlled nature of experiments and the predictability of the subjects being studied. Social sciences often deal with unpredictable or uncontrollable variables, which can make data less reliable.
4. Focus: Science primarily focuses on the natural world and the laws that govern it, while social sciences concentrate on understanding human behavior and societies. This difference in focus leads to distinct methodological approaches and levels of certainty in the results obtained by each field.

In summary, science is concerned with studying the physical and natural world, while social sciences focus on understanding human behavior and societies. Both fields use scientific methods to gather and analyze data, but they differ in their subject matter, methodology, and the accuracy and validity of their data.

Comparative Table: Science vs Social Sciences

The main difference between science and social sciences lies in their subject matter and methodology. Here is a table comparing the two:

Science focuses on studying the physical and natural world, while social sciences study human behavior and societies. The methodology used in science often involves controlled settings, leading to more reliable and accurate data. In contrast, social sciences deal with the complexity of human behavior, making it challenging to obtain completely reliable and accurate data.