Disciplines and

Ideas in Social
Sciences
LIWAYWAY DAWN C. RENTORIA
• Checking of Attendance
• Temperature check (Kamustahan)
• Groupings (Index card)
MELCS
Differentiate the nature and
functions of social science
discipline with the natural
science and humanities
 Define social science as
LESSON 1 study of society

OBJECTIVES 2 Apply the concept of

scientific method when
studying various
phenomena.
Distinguish the difference between
3 the social sciences, the natural
sciences and the humanities
CHAPTER 1:
EMERGENCE
OF THE
SOCIAL
SCIENCES
INTRODUCTION
This chapter will help you understand the nature and foundation of the social
sciences, as well as the different disciplines that study human relations.

Social Sciences as field of study attempt to study human

relations while applying scientific method in order to discover
the complexity of the society we live in. How well do you know
human groups and societies? These are the primary concerns of
social scientist as they try to unravel the mystery of human
behavior in a society. Why do people behave in a certain way in
the society? How can understanding society help us solve the
problem that exist within?
 LESSON 1:
U N D E R S TA N D I N G
THE DOMAIN OF
THE SOCIAL
SCIENCES
The picture depicts human interaction with one
another. Converse with one another, share
same sentiments, or they may just be happy
and contented having their close friend. As
Filipinos, we all know that we have our own
unique ways of doing things. A smile, smirk, or
simple gesture are indicative of our feelings
and emotions at one particulars point in time.
With all these interaction in mind, we have
social scientist who study human behavior and
action within the content of the society.
TOPIC AT A GLANCE

The human
knowledge

Science and the

social sciences

The social sciences Vis-

a-Vis the Natural
Sciences
 The Greek philosopher

“Man is a social animal”

We are all born and raised in a society.
We belong a particular group and share a certain territory.
We interact with one another, build relationship

As rational animals,
We use reason in order to satisfy our curiosity and discover the Aristotle
how and why of so many things around us.
When question present themselves, we try to find answers
depending on different modes of inquiry.
 “Man is a social animal”
We are born in a certain society, and
we do socialization

As rational animals,
We are critical thinkers. We use Aristotle
reason and logical thinking to
discover the how and why of so
many things around us.
 THE HUMAN
KNOWLEDGE
C L A S S I F I C AT I O N O F
HUMAN KNOWLEDGE

1. N AT U R A L S C I E N C E S
2. SOCIAL SCIENCES
3. HUMANITIES
4. APPLIED SCIENCE
• NATURAL SCIENCES-
belongs to biology,
chemistry, earth sciences
and physics.
The field of natural sciences aims
to explain and predict various
phenomena in nature such as
cellular composition, atomic
particles, weather conditions, and
earthquake patterns.
 SOCIAL SCIENCES-
subject that relate to the
foundation, establishments,
and growth of human
society.
 The field of social
sciences aims to explain
and describe human
behavior in the society.
 Discipline of social
sciences include
anthropology, sociology,
psychology, economics,
and political science.
• HUMANITIES- branches of
knowledge that tend to
humanize human as they
express themselves in various
form. (include art, literature,
music etc.)
 Other branch of knowledge

APPLIED PROFESSION-
Involves a practical application of
knowledge drawn out from other
branches.
Ex. (business, communications,
criminal justice, education,
e n g i n e e r i n g , l a w, s o c i a l w o r k ,
nursing, and medicine).
Questions:
1. What are the practical way of categorizing human knowledge?
2. How are different branches or knowledge organized and
categorized?
3. Illustrate how each domain contributes in building human
knowledge. What makes each domain distinct from one another?
3. Why do we need to know the distinction of human knowledge?
ANSWERS:
Ø For us to satisfy human curiosity of
physical world, occurrences in natural
and social realm.
Ø To answer myriad of questions baffling
in human minds.
Ø To assess , explain, define or describe
human society ( feelings, emotions,
behavior, interest concerns etc.)
 Below are research problems. Identify if the study falls
under the natural science, social science or both. Explain
your answer.
1. Why do students engage in bullying?
2. What are the effects of K-12 BEC in the
Philippine Collegiate level?
3. How can government control rising
population?
 Below are research problems. Identify if the study falls
under the natural science, social science or both. Explain
your answer.
4.Why is there increased number of typhoon
that hit the Philippine s every year?
5. Who will the filipino vote in the next
presidential election?
6. Why is there a rising incidence of criminal
activities in the metropolis?
 Below are research problems. Identify if the study falls
under the natural science, social science or both. Explain
your answer.

7.When will be the Mayon volcano likely to erupt?

8. Why do people migrate from province to
cities?
9. Is water safe for human consumption?
10. How is COVID virus transmitted?
Natural Sciences and Social
Sciences are empirical
sciences where knowledge
must be based on evident
phenomena and can be
tested for its accuracy and
validity.
Natural
Sciences
aims to explain
and predict
various
phenomena in
nature
Social
Sciences
aims to
explain and
describe
human
behavior in
the society.
Lets’ talk about .....
SCIENCE AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
How are we going
to characterize
social science
discipline in relation
to science?
SOCIAL SCIENCE
• Why do social science so-called science?
• Can we say social science disciplines as kind
of a science?
• What makes social sciences scientific in
nature?
Science, in strictest sense pertains to “knowledge about or
study of natural world based on facts learned through
experiments and observation.
Science uses various methods or modes of inquiry to
obtain knowledge. That bodies of knowledge are being
built and developed to explain occurences rationally
Although science is oftentimes associated with matters,
chemicals, rocks, plants, constellations, motions, it can
be also be utilized systematically to study the
intricacies of human experience, such as behaivior,
opinions, feelings, and ideologies among others.
1. Why do social science so-
called science?
• Science “study of facts” and can learned
through experiments and observation.
• same through with social sciences, the study
of human society, can be studied through
experimentation and observation too.
• Social Science involves the study of
society and how people behave any
different ways that may affect the
world we live in.
• explanation and description of
society and the relationship we build
can be studied systematically.
 2. What makes social sciences
scientific in nature?
• People in society can be studied systematically.
• Scientific method is being utilized in the study.
• Scientific method provide more efficient way of
gaining knowledge in problem-solving
• Human behavior can be known through various
scientific methods of inquiry.
In modern day, we use scientific method to
study things around us.
Historically speaking, ancient people develop
various means to solve problem that may exist.
It includes appeal to the divide power, authority,
intuition, tradition, pure logic, and common
sense.
• Modes of inquiry are critical in scientific
research.
• Scientific research obtained or generate
knowledge, depending on the different methods
employed.
• Scientific approach take precedence over the
subject matter, since knowledge is obtained
depending on the different methods employed
to generate it.
• Hypothesis- shrewd guess or inference
that is formulated to explain facts or
condition and to guide further
investigation (Good and Scates, 1954)
Scientific method is evident in researches during
data gathering, researchers use techniques like
the use of questionnaire, survey, or interviews.
Researcher may use his or her senses to describe
the settings or content of a problem.
Important characteristics of science
CHARACTERISTICS EXPLANATION
Empirical A phenomenon should be observable using the
different senses
Propositional Things are explained in a form of statement or
generalization
Logical Employs the rule of logic to validate inferences
Public Ideas are communicated from one scientist to another
Problem- Present rational explanation about unexplained
solving observation

Continuous Knowledge is built upon by previous and future

research on the subject
Fill the empty ballon
by writing the
different attributes
of science based on
what we discussed. CHARACTE
Explain each
c h a ra c te r i st i c s by RISTICS OF
giving concrete SCIENCE
examples
3. Explain the importance of
scientific method both in natural
and social sciences. What happened
when one do away with the use of
scientific method in his or her study?
How can the scientific method be
applied in understanding human
nature and the different
processes in the society? Explain
your answer
Could it be possible for social
sciences research to employ
scientific methods?
Directions:
The Scientific Method • PROBLEM
Complete the diagram by • ANALYSIS
CONCLUSION
filling the different layers with • TOPIC
the appropriate steps
• HYPOTHESIS
followed in scientific method.
Begin with the first step at the • METHODS OF
bottom part. Explain how INQUIRY
each layer contribute in the
understanding of the research
problem.
 TOPIC The researcher selects a particular subject matter.
Depending on his or her interest.
PROBLEM The researcher define the nature of problem where a theory can be
developed along the way; this is the most important pahes of inquiry.

HYPOTHESIS The researcher formulates a general statement of the problem that

could give him or her an idea on what data to gather or omit.

Methods of Inquiry/ This is the stage of empirical research involving the use of senses and
Data Gathering precision instruments;phenomenon must be carefully and accurately describe
and recorded.
The researcher may find patterns and relationship that could help in the
ANALYSIS analysis of gathered data; this is the stage of classiffying and organization.

The researchers formulates a scientific theory after a thorough analysis of

CONLUSION data; a theory can be changed or revised depending on the results of future
research projects.
Science, can also be utilized
systematically to study the
intricacies of human
experience, such as attitudes,
behavior, opinions, feelings, For us to understand
and ideologies. human society, we
can use method of
inquiry that science
may offers.
Difference and
similarities of
Natural
Science and
Social Science
The field of social sciences attempts to disciver and
explain the behavior and attitude of people. By
applying the scientific method, socia scientist are
able to study hyman relations in society. On the
other hand the domain of the natural sciences
attempts to understand nature’s phenomena by
relying greatly on measurable data obtained through
scientific method.
The Social Science via-a-vis the Natural Science
NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCE “soft science”
“hard science”
Undertake controlled experiment to validate Most of social science researches are leaning on
working hypothesis qualitative side.
Research findings produced within a Research finding are difficult to validate
controlled laboratory
Experiments can be predicted and replicated In contrast, sociologist may have difficult time validating
by a physicist or chemisty “quantifiable data ” the accuracy of research findings because of numerous
belongs to “hard sciences” due to the nature factors that coukld affect human behavior (motives,
of its validation intentions, biases, and experiences) of human subjects.
Qualitative data belongs to “Soft sciences” because of the
nature of unpredictability in validaing the results.
confined within laboratories under strict Uncertainty out data or outputs (culture, ideology, bias,
condition that can be repeated many times. mood swing) cannot be duplicated
Laboratory Laboratory is the Society itself
• Natural Science “Hard Science” leaning on
Quantitative side. All quantifiable data
belongs to hard sciences. Research findings
produced within controlled laboratory.
• It undertake controlled experiments as they
validate their working hypothesis.
• Quantifiable data belongs to “hard science”
because its nature of validation.
• Social Science “Soft Science” the
nature of their unpredictability when
it comes to validating results.
“Qualitative data”
• Social Science “Soft Science” the nature of their
unpredictability when it comes to validating
results. “Qualitative data”
• Social Science, may have difficult time validating
the accuracy of their research findings because
of numerous factors that could affect human
behavior, such as motives, intentions, biases,
experiences of their human subjects.
After knowing the concept of Natural and Social
sciences can you see now the distinction,
similarities and relationship of both study?
How is the domain of the social sciences diferent
from the natural sciences? Compare and contrast
the two domain based on (a) subjects (b) method
of inquiry (c) outputs. Can the two sciences
complement one another in understanding the
world around us? why or why not?
• Do you think social
science disciplines are
significant in society?
• How does it help?
Social problem can be effectively
resolve by combining the
knowledge obtained from the
domain of natural sciences and
the social sciences.