Sociology I · Topic
Non-positivist Methodologies
Interpretive sociology, verstehen, phenomenology, ethnomethodology, symbolic interactionism and critical methods.
89 UPSC Mains Sociology I questions on Non-positivist Methodologies that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
"Methodological pluralism is an increasingly common feature of social research." In the context of this statement, discuss the ways in which multi-strategy research can be used.
20 marks · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2023
Research Methods and Data CollectionScience and Scientific Method
Examine the significance of non-positivist paradigm in social science research.
20 marks · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Compare and contrast the methodology made use of by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber, in their, scientific study of society.
25 marks · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
Critically examine the features of 'critical social research'.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2024
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Critically examine the "Nature and scope of feminist method" in social science research.
15 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Non-positivist MethodologiesFact, Value and Objectivity
"The contestations regarding 'Positivism' has, enriched the discipline of Sociology". Analyse.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
"It is the ideal type which is explained through the verstehen approach." Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
How do you view and assess the use of case studies and biographies in sociological research?
20 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data CollectionNon-positivist Methodologies
"Sociology could and should be value free". Critically examine the statement with respect to various sociological perspectives.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
Many of the founders of sociology believed that sociology could and should be value-free. Critically evaluate their beliefs.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
"Phenomenology represents the most radical departure from the 'scientific' quantitative methodology". Critically analyse the statement.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2018–2020
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Critically examine Max Weber's theory of social action and its limitations.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2017–2020
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
Do you think phenomenology restore the primacy of human experience and meaning giving acts of human consciousness?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Non-positivist MethodologiesPositivism and Its Critique
Though Positivism became a powerful sociological method, it had its critics. Elucidate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
'Though they take very different approaches to study society, both 'micro' and 'macro' sociology aid our ability to understand the social world. Comment.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Emergence of SociologyScience and Scientific Method
Methodology encompasses a system of rules, principles, and procedures that form the basis of scientific investigation. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Science and Scientific MethodPositivism and Its Critique
"Methodological pluralism is a panacea that can solve all research problems." Discuss
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2016–2020
Science and Scientific MethodResearch Methods and Data Collection
Explain the difference between the positivist and interpretative approaches to the scientific method in sociology.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
Discuss the concepts of fact, value, and objectivity in sociological research. Can sociology ever be entirely value-free?
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
Explain the historical analysis as a research method in sociology.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Science and Scientific MethodResearch Methods and Data Collection
Discuss the significance of symbols in symbolic interactionism approach of G.H. Mead.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
G. H. MeadNon-positivist Methodologies
Assess Max Weber's concept of "Ideal Types" as a unique and distinctive methodological approach in sociology.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Max WeberScience and Scientific Method
People are rational and they use practical reasoning, not formal logic, in their daily life. Discuss the perspective of ethnomethodology as a study of people's life.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Non-positivist Methodologies
Discuss symbolic interactionism as a framework to understand everyday social interactions.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
G. H. MeadNon-positivist Methodologies
Weber was neither very sophisticated nor very consistent in his methodological pronouncements". Discuss the statement in the context of Weber's concept of "verstehen".
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
Explain Weber's concept of “Verstehen”. How does it enrich sociological inquiry?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
“Sociology can be termed a science because it fulfills the basic requirements of objective and rational knowledge of social reality”. Critically examine
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2017–2020
Science and Scientific MethodPositivism and Its Critique
Discuss the relevance of feminist methodology in sociological research.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2018–2022
Non-positivist MethodologiesResearch Methods and Data Collection
'Sociology is a science which attempts Interpretivist understanding of Social action'. Explain the Interpretative understanding of Max weber.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
Examine the strengths and limitations of ethnography as a research method in sociology.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data CollectionNon-positivist Methodologies