hard science
Measurable natural inquiry
Hard science refers to natural sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology—fields that rely on rigorous experimentation, quantitative data, and mathematical models.
The term distinguishes these from "soft sciences" like sociology or psychology, implying greater precision and objectivity: She switched from anthropology to hard science.
The distinction is contested but persistent.
Systematic testing of ideas
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- dataFacts for analysis
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
hypothesis · replication · falsifiability · peer review · laboratory · empirical · verification · objectivity
Science of matter and energy
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- biologyStudy of organisms
- astronomyScience of celestial objects
- geologyStudy of Earth's composition
neuroscience · genetics · biochemistry · molecular biology · astrophysics · geophysics · paleontology · oceanography
Accuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- statistical significanceUnlikely due to chance
- mathematical modelingRepresenting systems with equations
- equationsMathematical equality statements
formulas · constants · variables · proof · verification · quantitative · numerical · computation
Study of culture
- qualitativeRelating to characteristics, not quantities
- subjectiveBased on personal perspective
- interpretiveExplaining meaning or significance
- pseudoscienceBogus methodology posing as factual
experimentation
Systematic testing of ideas
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- dataFacts for analysis
evidence · hypothesis · replication · falsifiability · peer review · laboratory · empirical · verification · objectivity · fieldwork
physics
Science of matter and energy
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- biologyStudy of organisms
- astronomyScience of celestial objects
geology · neuroscience · genetics · biochemistry · molecular biology · astrophysics · geophysics · paleontology · oceanography · meteorology
precision
Accuracy of measurement
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- statistical significanceUnlikely due to chance
- mathematical modelingRepresenting systems with equations
equations · formulas · constants · variables · proof · verification · quantitative · numerical · computation · metrics
humanities
Study of culture
- qualitativeRelating to characteristics, not quantities
- subjectiveBased on personal perspective
- interpretiveExplaining meaning or significance
pseudoscience · speculation · anecdotal · unfalsifiable · STEM
hard sciencesoft science
Fields studying complex human phenomena
social science · humanities · pseudoscience · mysticism · intuition
hard sciencesocial science
Study of human society
sociology · humanities · social sciences · psychology · anthropology
hard sciencesoft science
Fields studying complex human phenomena
philosophy · metaphysics · opinion · conjecture · ideology
hard, science, harder, hardest, harden, hardened, hardening, hardener, hardness