SOCIAL SCIENCES &

HUMANITIES vs. NATURAL

SCIENCES
Learning Competency 2: Differentiate the nature and
functions of Social Science disciplines with the natural
sciences and humanities
• Compare and contrast Social Science, Natural Science,
and Humanities (HUMSS_DIS 11- IIIa-2)
The Nature and Function of Social
Science Disciplines,
Natural Science and Humanities
SOCIAL SCIENCE
• The social sciences are the fields of
scholarship that study society. "Social
science" is commonly used as an umbrella
term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of
the natural sciences. These include:
anthropology, archaeology, criminology,
economics, education, linguistics, political
science, sociology, geography, history, law,
religion, and psychology.
Natural Science

• Aims to predict all natural phenomena and

its studies are based on experimentally
controlled condition of material entities. This
includes: physics, chemistry, biology,
astronomy, mathematics, etc.
Humanities

• Seeks to understand “human reactions

to events and the meanings human
impose on experience as a function of
culture, historical era and life history.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND
ITS APPLICATIONS
HOW IS SCIENTIFIC METHOD USED IN CONDUCTING
RESEARCH?
 The use of scientific methods unites these 3 fields
especially Social Science and Natural Science
except humanities.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
It is a systematic and logical approach in acquiring and
explaining knowledge. It involves a step-by-step procedure
of identifying the problem, formulating a hypothesis and
testing this hypothesis by gathering and analysing relevant
data.

The method requires critical thinking skills in solving

problems
Purpose of the Scientific Method in Social
Science
In the field of Social Science, research is an indispensable
tool in addressing social issues and problems. Through research,
a social scientist can try to find answers to questions like:
1. What is poverty?
2. Who are the poor?
3. Why does poverty exist in society?
4. How can society best address or solve the problem of
poverty?
 The Steps in the Scientific Method
(Rajasekharan 2013)

1. Defining the problem

2. Reviewing the literature
3. Forming hypothesis
4. Collecting and analysing data
5. Drawing conclusions
Define The Research Problem

What are the variables or the units of

analysis being studied?
What is the time frame or period of the
study?
Review The Related Literature
What has already been written
about the topic?
What are the research gaps?
Formulate hypothesis
What are the specific parameters of the research
problem?
What are the means of manipulating the variable
and measuring the result study?
Collect And Analyze Data
Will the interviews be done personally or over
the phone?
Who are the target participants of the survey?
What do the data reveal about the relationship of
the variables being studied?
How do the data answer the research problem?
Interpret The Results And Write The Report

What are the social implications and

significance of the findings?
Are the sources, both primary and
secondary, properly cited in the study?
 Natural Science Vs. Social Science
Natural Phenomena all aspects of the society

Quantitative measurements Qualitative measurements

experimented abstract or cannot be

methodologies measured

objective subjective
 Humanities Vs. Social Science
 Humanities believe in a more  Dealt with in a more scientific
defined, critical and analytical way
approach towards society

 Humanities are mostly based on  Social science is based on the

assumptions and philosophies studies of reality, whether it is
in the ancient or related to the
current world

 Humanities is a much older  Social science is a modern

subject discipline branch of the discipline.
ACTIVITY TIME!
Directions: PHOTO ANALYSIS
Examine the photo shown to the class. Each group
should identify key issues or problems in society as
reflected in the photo. Answer the question:
1. How can the social sciences perspective be used
to examine/address said key issue or problem?
Make sure that the steps by which the social issue
is addressed follows the scientific method.
PHOTO ANALYSIS
PHOTO ANALYSIS
PHOTO ANALYSIS