Comparisons Wiki

Doctor vs. Scientist: Difference and Comparison

Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 10, 2023
A doctor is a professional trained to diagnose and treat illnesses, while a scientist conducts research to understand natural phenomena.
Doctor vs. Scientist

Difference Between Doctor and Scientist

Doctor and scientist are both esteemed professions, but they serve distinct purposes. A doctor primarily focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses and injuries in individuals. They utilize established medical knowledge to aid patients, often operating within clinical settings. On the other hand, a scientist's work revolves around the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world. They perform experiments, gather data, and seek to understand the fundamental principles of nature.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023
Though there is overlap, especially in fields like medical research, the objectives of doctors and scientists are generally different. While a doctor might use the results of scientific research to inform their treatments, a scientist often works to expand the boundaries of current knowledge. Scientists can be found in diverse disciplines, from biology and chemistry to astronomy and physics. Doctors, meanwhile, specialize in various fields of medicine, such as cardiology, neurology, or pediatrics.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023
Furthermore, the training and education for each profession differ. While both involve rigorous study, doctors usually attend medical schools, followed by residencies to hone their clinical skills. Scientists, in contrast, often pursue degrees in specific areas of science, advancing to postgraduate studies and postdoctoral research. Their emphasis is typically on research methodologies and theoretical knowledge.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023
It's also worth noting the different settings in which these professionals operate. Doctors are most commonly associated with hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. Scientists, depending on their specialty, might work in laboratories, observatories, universities, or even in the field, conducting experiments or making observations.
Levi
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor vs. Scientist Comparison Chart

Primary Focus

Diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses.
Conducting research to understand natural phenomena.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Training

Medical school followed by residencies.
Degrees in specific science fields, often with postgraduate research.
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Sep 10, 2023

Work Setting

Hospitals, clinics, healthcare settings.
Laboratories, universities, observatories, fieldwork sites.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Knowledge Base

Established medical knowledge.
Research methodologies and theoretical knowledge.
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Sep 10, 2023

Objective

Patient care and health outcomes.
Expanding the boundaries of current knowledge.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor vs. Scientist Definitions

Doctor

A professional trained in medicine.
The doctor prescribed a new medication for my condition.
Leo
Sep 10, 2023

Scientist

An individual who conducts experiments to understand natural processes.
The scientist tested the hypothesis in a controlled environment.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor

One who mends or repairs.
The shoe doctor fixed the soles of my favorite boots.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Scientist

A professional skilled in systematic observation and analysis.
The data was thoroughly reviewed by the scientist.
Jonathan
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor

A person who is licensed to practice medicine and has trained at a school of medicine or a school of osteopathic medicine; a physician.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Scientist

An individual dedicated to the pursuit of truth through empirical evidence.
The scientist spent years observing wildlife behavior.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor

Any of certain other healthcare professionals, such as a dentist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or veterinarian.
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May 03, 2023

Scientist

A person who studies or practices a scientific discipline.
The scientist developed a groundbreaking theory.
Jonathan
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor

A practitioner of alternative medicine or folk medicine who does not have traditional medical credentials.
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May 03, 2023

Scientist

Someone who contributes to the expansion of knowledge in a field.
The renowned scientist published several significant papers.
Elijah
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor

A person who has earned the highest academic degree, usually a PhD, awarded by a college or university in a specified discipline.
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May 03, 2023

Scientist

A person who is engaged in and has expert knowledge of a science, especially a biological or physical science.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

A person awarded an honorary degree by a college or university.
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May 03, 2023

Scientist

One whose activities make use of the scientific method to answer questions regarding the measurable universe. A scientist may be involved in original research, or make use of the results of the research of others.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

Abbr. Dr. Used as a title and form of address for a person holding the degree of doctor.
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Scientist

One learned in science; a scientific investigator; one devoted to scientific study; a savant.
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Doctor

Roman Catholic Church An eminent theologian.
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May 03, 2023

Scientist

a person with advanced knowledge of one of more sciences
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

A rig or device contrived for remedying an emergency situation or for doing a special task.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(Informal) To give medical treatment to
"[He] does more than practice medicine. He doctors people. There's a difference" (Charles Kuralt).
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To repair, especially in a makeshift manner; rig.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To falsify or change in such a way as to make favorable to oneself
doctored the evidence.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To add ingredients so as to improve or conceal the taste, appearance, or quality of
doctor the soup with a dash of sherry.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To alter or modify for a specific end
doctored my standard speech for the small-town audience.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(Baseball) To deface or apply a substance to (the ball) in violation of the rules in order to throw a pitch with extraordinary movement
was ejected because he doctored the ball with a piece of sandpaper.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To practice medicine.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Doctor

A physician; a member of the medical profession; one who is trained and licensed to heal the sick or injured. The final examination and qualification may award a doctor degree in which case the post-nominal letters are D.O., DPM, M.D., DMD, DDS, in the US or MBBS in the UK.
If you still feel unwell tomorrow, see your doctor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Doctor

A person who has attained a doctorate, such as a Ph.D. or Th.D. or one of many other terminal degrees conferred by a college or university.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

A veterinarian; a medical practitioner who treats non-human animals.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

A nickname for a person who has special knowledge or talents to manipulate or arrange transactions.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(obsolete) A teacher; one skilled in a profession or a branch of knowledge; a learned man.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(dated) Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency.
the doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous colouring matter
the doctor, or auxiliary engine, also called "donkey engine"
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

A fish, the friar skate.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

A ship's cook.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(transitive) To act as a medical doctor to.
Her children doctored her back to health.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To act as a medical doctor.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(transitive) To make (someone) into an (academic) doctor; to confer a doctorate upon.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(transitive) To physically alter (medically or surgically) a living being in order to change growth or behavior.
They doctored their apple trees by vigorous pruning, and now the dwarfed trees are easier to pick.
We may legally doctor a pet to reduce its libido.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(transitive) To genetically alter an extant species.
Mendel's discoveries showed how the evolution of a species may be doctored.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(transitive) To alter or make obscure, as with the intention to deceive, especially a document.
To doctor the signature of an instrument with intent to defraud is an example of forgery.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(transitive) To adulterate, drug, or poison (drink).
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To take medicine.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of knowledge; a learned man.
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

An academical title, originally meaning a man so well versed in his department as to be qualified to teach it. Hence: One who has taken the highest degree conferred by a university or college, or has received a diploma of the highest degree; as, a doctor of divinity, of law, of medicine, of music, or of philosophy. Such diplomas may confer an honorary title only.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

One duly licensed to practice medicine; a member of the medical profession; a physician.
By medicine life may be prolonged, yet deathWill seize the doctor too.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Doctor

Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty or serve some purpose in an exigency; as, the doctor of a calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove superfluous coloring matter; the doctor, or auxiliary engine, called also donkey engine.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Doctor

The friar skate.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To confer a doctorate upon; to make a doctor.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To tamper with and arrange for one's own purposes; to falsify; to adulterate; as, to doctor election returns; to doctor whisky.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

To practice physic.
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

a licensed medical practitioner;
I felt so bad I went to see my doctor
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

(Roman Catholic Church) a title conferred on 33 saints who distinguished themselves through the othodoxy of their theological teaching;
the Doctors of the Church greatly influenced Christian thought down to the late Middle Ages
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

children take the roles of doctor or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the doctor's office;
the children explored each other's bodies by playing the game of doctor
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

a person who holds Ph.D. degree from an academic institution;
she is a doctor of philosophy in physics
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

alter and make impure, as with the intention to deceive;
Sophisticate rose water with geraniol
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

give medical treatment to
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May 03, 2023

Doctor

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023

Doctor

A person awarded the highest academic degree in a field.
She became a doctor of philosophy last year.
Elijah
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor

A person who modifies or alters something.
He's a car doctor, known for custom modifications.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor

A reference to a person regarded as an authority in a subject.
She's the tech doctor; she can solve any computer issue.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Doctor vs. Scientist Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary role of a doctor?

A doctor is trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses and injuries in patients.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Do all scientists work in laboratories?

No, scientists can work in various settings including universities, observatories, and fieldwork sites depending on their specialization.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

What kind of education does a scientist typically undergo?

Scientists often pursue specific science degrees, advancing to postgraduate studies and postdoctoral research focused on research methodologies and theoretical knowledge.
Nolan
Sep 10, 2023

Is a PhD holder referred to as a doctor?

Yes, a person awarded the highest academic degree in a field, like a PhD, is often referred to as a doctor.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

In what fields can one find scientists?

Scientists can be found in various disciplines including biology, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and many more.
Henry
Sep 10, 2023

Can a doctor also be a scientist?

Yes, many doctors conduct research and contribute to scientific knowledge, especially in fields like medical research.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

What is the difference between a doctor's patient care and a scientist's research?

While doctors focus on patient care and health outcomes, scientists aim to expand current knowledge through research.
Leo
Sep 10, 2023

Do all doctors perform surgeries?

No, not all doctors are surgeons. Some specialize in non-surgical areas of medicine.
Muazma Batool
Sep 10, 2023

Can someone be a doctor in a non-medical field?

Yes, the term 'doctor' can also refer to someone who has achieved the highest academic degree in a field, such as a doctor of philosophy.
Nolan
Sep 10, 2023

Is a veterinarian considered a doctor?

Yes, a veterinarian is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in animals.
Leo
Sep 10, 2023

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As a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.

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