Hard science and soft science are colloquial terms used to compare scientific fields on the basis of perceived methodological rigor, exactitude, and objectivity.[1][2][3] In general, the formal sciences and natural sciences are considered hard science, whereas the social sciences and other sciences are described as soft science.[4]
Precise definitions vary,[5] but features often cited as characteristic of hard science include producing testable predictions, performing controlled experiments, relying on quantifiable data and mathematical models, a high degree of accuracy and objectivity, higher levels of consensus, faster progression of the field, greater explanatory success, cumulativeness, replicability, and generally applying a purer form of the scientific method.[2][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] A closely related idea (originating in the nineteenth century with Auguste Comte) is that scientific disciplines can be arranged into a hierarchy of hard to soft on the basis of factors such as rigor, "development", and whether they are basic or applied.[5][13]
Philosophers and historians of science have questioned the relationship between these characteristics and perceived hardness or softness. The more "developed" hard sciences do not necessarily have a greater degree of consensus or selectivity in accepting new results.[6] Commonly cited methodological differences are also not a reliable indicator. For example, social sciences such as psychology and sociology use mathematical models extensively, but are usually considered soft sciences.[1][2] However, there are some measurable differences between hard and soft sciences. For example, hard sciences make more extensive use of graphs,[5][14] and soft sciences are more prone to a rapid turnover of buzzwords.[15]
The metaphor has been criticised for unduly stigmatizing soft sciences, creating an unwarranted imbalance in the public perception, funding, and recognition of different fields.[2][3][16]
^ abcdWilson, Timothy D. (12 July 2012). "'Soft' sciences don't deserve the snobbery". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
^ abFrost, Pamela. "Soft science and hard news". Columbia University. Metanews. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
^Helmenstine, Anne Marie (29 November 2019). "What Is the Difference Between Hard and Soft Science?". ThoughtCo.
^ abcCite error: The named reference Smith2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abCole, Stephen (1983). "The Hierarchy of the Sciences?". American Journal of Sociology. 89 (1): 111–139. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.1033.9702. doi:10.1086/227835. JSTOR 2779049. S2CID 144920176.
^Cite error: The named reference Fanelli2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Lemons, John (1996). Scientific Uncertainty and Environmental Problem Solving. Blackwell. p. 99. ISBN 978-0865424760.
^Rose, Steven (1997). "Chapter One". Lifelines: Biology Beyond Determinism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195120356.
^Gutting, Gary (17 May 2012). "How Reliable Are the Social Sciences?". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
^Diamond, Jared (August 1987). "Soft sciences are often harder than hard sciences". Discover. Archived from the original on 13 December 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
^Hedges, Larry (1 May 1987). "How hard is hard science, how soft is soft science? The empirical cumulativeness of research". American Psychologist. 42 (5): 443–455. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.408.2317. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.42.5.443.
^Lodahl, Janice Beyer; Gordon, Gerald (1972). "The Structure of Scientific Fields and the Functioning of University Graduate Departments". American Sociological Review. 37 (1): 57–72. doi:10.2307/2093493. JSTOR 2093493.
^Latour, B. (1990). "Drawing things together". In M. Lynch; S. Woolgar (eds.). Representation in scientific practice. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. pp. 19–68.
^Bentley, R. A. (2008). Allen, Colin (ed.). "Random Drift versus Selection in Academic Vocabulary: An Evolutionary Analysis of Published Keywords". PLOS ONE. 3 (8): e3057. arXiv:0807.1182. Bibcode:2008PLoSO...3.3057B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003057. PMC 2518107. PMID 18728786.
^Cite error: The named reference Nature 2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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