HARD AND SOFT SCIENCES/ BEHAVIORAL METHODOLOGIES

AND MEDICINE

Abstract: A new term is introduced. Social sciences are not scientific. They lack ratio numbers. Therefore, sociology may have two levels of findings. The entry level is that of DISCOVERY. Some interesting findings may be replicated or hardened by statistical strategies. If the findings are more solid, we have information that is on the VERIFICATION level. We can or may trust the information.

Introduction:

For the purposes of this article, chemistry and physics should be considered “hard sciences.” Nearly all the substances of the field require ratio numbers, sophisticated math, and demanding graphs.

Discussion:

Economics would be a hard science because it requires ratio numbers. However, humans appear to be non-rational.  Thus it is soft. Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology appear to be soft because they are likely to use non-ratio numbers such as nominal, ordinal, and interval numbers.

The usual math strategies such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are harder to conduct with soft sciences. A “0” baseline, equidistance between numbers is also a problem.  Further, they must be of equal weight. Thus the term soft science is used.

The author would like to replace soft sciences with behavioral methodologies. This means that non-hard measures may at a future time may become more sensitive and sophisticated. Both multiple regression and analysis of variance can blur findings when non-ratio numbers are used.

Historically, behavioral methodologies have stretched their work to become more like the hard sciences. However, this time has not been reached. To make a nominal number ordinal or harder the researcher takes 0 plus 1 divided by two equals .05. That makes an interval number. When comparing outcomes of ordinal and interval numbers there is not a significant difference. When we reach interval numbers, the game is up. All the numbers are the same thus the numerical strategy is hardened.  The average of means may be traded with medians. However, replication can be difficult. This dilutes the findings. Further, multiple regressions becomes troubled.

 If promising, all the tricks of 21^st century must be placed in DISCOVERY section of textbooks on research. Ratio Hardening strategies of the future should be used in the VERIFICATION section.

Perhaps this may be the time that the hard science may look upon the Behavioral Methodologies more sympathetically. We are not there yet.

Conclusion:

Hopefully, there may come a day when sociology and other behavioral methodologies become science. At the moment, it appears to a long time until or if this occurs.

References Cited:

Hoffman, B (2018) “False Research in Medicine” ncbi/hlm/gov/pm/articles

Snell, Joel (2022) “Hard and Soft Sciences: Behavorial Methodologies” SocialVibes.net/working paper

Stiles, John (6/14/12) The Critics of Social Science Are Sometimes the Best Defenders of Social Science, Monkey Cage