What is the Difference Between Social Science and Natural Science?

The main difference between social science and natural science lies in the subject matter they study and the methods they use to study it. Here are the key differences between the two:

Subject Matter: Natural sciences focus on studying observable natural phenomena, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. On the other hand, social sciences study human life, society, and social problems, including disciplines like sociology, anthropology, psychology, and political science.
Methods: Natural sciences typically use empirical methods, based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation. Social sciences, while also using scientific methods, often rely on qualitative research, such as interviews, surveys, and case studies. Direct observation and experimentation are often more challenging in social sciences due to the complexity and diversity of human behavior.
Generalizability: Results in natural sciences are often more generalizable and can be applied to a wider range of situations, as they are based on observable and repeatable phenomena. In contrast, findings in social sciences are more context-specific and may not be easily generalizable to other situations or populations, due to the uniqueness of human societies and cultures.
Pace of Development: Natural sciences, with their focus on observable and repeatable phenomena, often develop more rapidly than social sciences. Social sciences, however, face challenges in observation and experimentation, which can slow down their development.

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Comparative Table: Social Science vs Natural Science

Here is a table summarizing the differences between social science and natural science:

Aspect	Social Science	Natural Science
Definition	Social science is the study of human society and social relationships.	Natural science is a branch of science that deals with the natural world.
Sub-Branches	Economics, political science, law, geography, education, history, linguistics, and anthropology.	Biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and astronomy.
Methods	Social sciences use scientific methods, but also employ social critique and interpretive methods.	Natural sciences use scientific methods, focusing on empirical evidence and the scientific method.
Ethical Considerations	Ethical considerations are often more complex in social science due to the nature of the research.	Ethical considerations are also important in natural science, but they are typically less complex.
Objectivity	Social science research often involves qualitative approaches, which may be less objective than natural science research.	Natural science research is often conducted in controlled environments and is based on empirical evidence, which contributes to objectivity.

In summary, social science focuses on understanding human behavior and society, while natural science studies the physical and natural world through observation and experiments. They differ in their methods, sub-branches, and ethical considerations.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.