Compare and Contrast the Natural and Social Sciences in...

The natural sciences aim has been to establish universal laws , of cause and effect , in order to replicate and generalise scientific arguments. Laws of physics , mathematics and chemistry look for logical, verifiable knowledge of the natural and physical world , in an attempt to translate it into applicable models and systems of valid and recognised stock of facts and data. It has been the purpose of the natural sciences to produce scientific statements, following an objective , value-free observation of facts and through deduction , formulation of hypotheses and testing the scientific validity of the same, to measure and quantify evidence. In contrast , the social sciences such as sociology, history , anthropology seek to explain and interpret human behaviour , its actions and meanings attributed to these in the social world in order to produce normative statements, that translate , ideas and meanings constructed by the human being in a social contextual, reality. (Alan Bryman , 2008). The debate of the applicability of the natural sciences, philosophy and approach, to research by the social sciences has its roots in a traditional dispute by the positivist school of thought in contrast to the interpretivist one, that emerged as an alternative and as an opposing standing by various social researchers. It is pertinent to explore and identify the similarities and differences between the natural and the social sciences, in their philosophy and approach to research inShow MoreRelatedPsy 308 Lab Assignment Essay1446 Words   |  6 PagesModule 1 Homework Assignment PSY308: Social Psychology Student’s Name Aristotle Jimenez Instructor’s Name Carolyn Ward Date 18 November 2012 2012-18-NOVEMBER-PSY308-M1HW-FL.doc Homework Assignment 1 PSY 308: Social Psychology Directions: Using Microsoft Word to save and submit your work, please complete the following homework assignment. Please include a title page with this assignment. 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