But their task is difficult because it is hard to design controlled experiments involving human beings. Social scientists must therefore rely heavily on careful observations and the systematic collection of data to arrive at their conclusions. The use of statistics and mathematical models is important in analyzing information and developing theories in the social sciences. The main branches of the social sciences include anthropology, economics, and psychology. Anthropology Anthropology investigates the origin and development of human cultures and of human physical characteristics.
Anthropologists study various groups of people to determine their similarities and differences.
They compare the arts, beliefs, customs, daily life, inventions, languages, social relationships, and values of different cultures. Archaeology traces cultural development by studying the things earlier peoples made and used. Economics Economics examines how people produce goods and services, how they distribute them among themselves, and how they use them. Economists deal with problems in such areas as management and labor relations, the setting of wages and prices, and the use of natural resources. They use computers and statistical analysis to construct mathematical models that enable them to determine how various economic systems work and to predict the effect of changes in the systems.