The document discusses the classification of academic disciplines into four main categories: 1) Hard disciplines like physics and chemistry use quantitative data and experimental methods. 2) Soft disciplines like language and anthropology use qualitative data from surveys and case studies. 3) Pure disciplines like pure mathematics focus on fundamental research and discovery. 4) Applied disciplines like engineering apply existing knowledge to solve real-world problems. Disciplines can also be classified as hard-pure, hard-applied, soft-pure, or soft-applied based on whether they use quantitative/qualitative data and focus on fundamental research or applications.

1. Meaning and Classification of Academic Discipline by Asst.Prof. Ketan Kamble
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2. Quantitative data (Data in number)
Tend to be predictive
Use experimental method
Eg. – Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering
Concern with learning of facts and concepts
(Cognitive goals) and career development.
Soft Discipline
Qualitative data (Data in words, pictures, etc.)
Cannot be predictive.
Use Survey, Case study, Ethnography, etc.
Eg. – Language, Anthropology, Law, Education.
Concern with general education development,
character development.
Meaning and Classification of Academic Discipline by Asst.Prof. Ketan Kamble 2
Hard Discipline

3. Tend towards fundamental research.
Systematic observation.
Discovery of unknown facts.
Develop new theories.
Add new knowledge.
Eg. Pure Mathematics, Pure Physics, Pure
History, etc.
Applied Discipline
Tends towards application of present
knowledge.
To solve problems of real world situation.
Eg. Engineering, Medical, Human Resource
Development.
Meaning and Classification of Academic Discipline by Asst.Prof. Ketan Kamble 3
Pure Discipline

4. Meaning and Classification of Academic Discipline by Asst.Prof. Ketan Kamble 4

5. Meaning and Classification of Academic Discipline by Asst.Prof. Ketan Kamble 5
Hard-Pure Discipline Hard-Applied Discipline
 Hard= Quantitative Data.
 Pure = Fundamental / Pure research.
 Emphasize discoveries and explanations.
 Eg. Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
 Well organized, competitive and high publication
rates.
 Hard = Quantitative Data.
 Applied-Application of present knowledge to solve
problem.
 Emphasize product and techniques.
 Eg. Medicine, Engineering.
 Entrepreneurial nature.
 Patenting is done.
Soft-Pure Discipline Soft-Applied Discipline
 Soft = Qualitative data.
 Pure – Fundamental/Pure research.
 Emphasize understanding and interpretation.
 Eg. Literature, History, Art.
 Less organized and low publication rates.
 Soft = Qualitative data.
 Applied – Application of present knowledge to solve
problem.
 Emphasize process, protocols.
 Eg. Education, Law, Information Management.

6. Meaning and Classification of Academic Discipline by Asst.Prof. Ketan Kamble
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Acknowledgement : Bhupendra Shrike (Typewriting)