hard sciences
Physics, chemistry, biology
The hard sciences are fields like physics, chemistry, and biology—disciplines that rely on controlled experiments, quantifiable data, and mathematical models.
The term distinguishes them from soft sciences like psychology or sociology, where variables are harder to isolate and results less precisely measurable.
She switched from philosophy to the hard sciences.
The distinction is contested but widely used.
Science of matter and energy
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- biologyStudy of organisms
- geologyStudy of Earth's composition
- astronomyScience of celestial objects
biochemistry · genetics · neuroscience · molecular biology · microbiology · oceanography · meteorology · astrophysics
Systematic testing of ideas
- hypothesis testingStatistical method for evaluating claims
- control groupUntreated subjects for comparison
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
- peer reviewExpert evaluation before publication
falsifiability · double-blind · laboratory · variables · data collection · protocols · randomization · statistical significance
Determining size or amount
- data analysisSystematic information interpretation
- statisticsCollected numerical information
- computationMathematical processing work
- mathematical modelingRepresenting systems with equations
precision · equations · formulas · calibration · regression · algorithms · quantification · significant figures
Study of culture
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
- subjectiveBased on personal perspective
- theoreticalBased on hypothesis, untested
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
physics
Science of matter and energy
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- biologyStudy of organisms
- geologyStudy of Earth's composition
astronomy · biochemistry · genetics · neuroscience · molecular biology · microbiology · oceanography · meteorology · astrophysics · geophysics
experimentation
Systematic testing of ideas
- hypothesis testingStatistical method for evaluating claims
- control groupUntreated subjects for comparison
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
peer review · falsifiability · double-blind · laboratory · variables · data collection · protocols · randomization · statistical significance · empirical observation
measurement
Determining size or amount
- data analysisSystematic information interpretation
- statisticsCollected numerical information
- computationMathematical processing work
mathematical modeling · precision · equations · formulas · calibration · regression · algorithms · quantification · significant figures · units
humanities
Study of culture
- philosophyStudy of fundamental truths
- subjectiveBased on personal perspective
- theoreticalBased on hypothesis, untested
speculation · pseudoscience · rigor · objectivity · verifiability
hard sciencessoft sciences
Non-quantitative academic fields
humanities · liberal arts · social sciences · arts · fine arts
hard, science, harder, hardest, harden, hardened, hardening, hardness, hardy