Journey into Natural Science

Natural Sciences

• Natural sciences are divided into multiple branches including physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy.
• Biology is the branch of natural science that focuses on living organisms and their interactions with the environment.
• The natural sciences often employ tools and methods from formal sciences, such as mathematics and logic, to analyze data and draw conclusions.

Earth Science

• Earth science is focused on studying the Earth, its components, processes, and the relationships between them.

Astronomy

• Astronomy is dedicated to the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside of Earth's atmosphere, including stars, planets, and galaxies.

Social Sciences

• Academic disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology fall under social sciences, while fields like engineering and mathematics are not included.

Sociology Terminology

• The term "sociology" has evolved, with "social physics" previously used to describe the study of societal structures and functions.

Methodologies in Social Sciences

• Social scientists who use methods comparable to those in natural sciences are often referred to as empirical or quantitative researchers.
• Interpretivist social scientists employ symbolic interpretation or social critique, focusing on understanding the meaning behind social phenomena.

Interpretivist Approach

• The interpretivist approach to science emphasizes the subjective interpretation of social realities, acknowledging the complexity and variability of human behavior and society.