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.
Differentiate between objectivity and value neutrality in sociological research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
Examine the basic postulates of positivism and post-positivism.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
Discuss the significance of symbols in symbolic interactionism and mention some of its criticisms.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesG. H. Mead
C.W Mills in his theory of sociological imagination tries to bridge between the personal acts in the milieu of larger society's existence in the form of 'biography' and 'history' respectively. Elaborate. (b) Early sociologists like Comte and Durkheim attempted to establish sociology as a distinct discipline... but contemporary sociology is characterised by interdisciplinary approach. Discuss. (c) Define phenomenology as a study of social phenomena in everyday social contexts. How did Schutz and Berger-Luckmann contribute to this? Critically examine.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Emergence of SociologySociology and Other Social Sciences
Do you believe that phenomenology reestablishes the importance of human experience and meaning-giving activities of human consciousness?
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Globalisation: impact on nation and state Citizenship: form and visibility to invisibles Sects and cults: significance and dysfunctions G.P. Murdock: Study of family Relevance of 40-hour work week Sampling in research methodology
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
The goal of value neutrality is highly desirable but equally difficult to be achieved in the study of social phenomena. Evaluate.
25 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. 1. (a) Sociology as an interpretative discipline
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Non-positivist MethodologiesMax Weber
Elaborate the Main Tenets of Positivism in Sociology with its Critique.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
Highlight the significance of ethnography in the realm of social research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesResearch Methods and Data Collection
What is the difference between fact and value? Comment on their significance in sociology?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
What are the key differences between nomothetic and idiographic approaches in sociology, and how do they complement each other in social research?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
To what extent do phenomenological perspectives in sociology challenge and reject the assumptions of positivism? Provide a comprehensive commentary with supporting arguments and examples.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesPositivism and Its Critique
Positivists and Anti-Positivists often apply several specific methods but both influence and complement them in significant way.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
Do you think phenomenology restores the primacy of human experience and meaning giving acts of human consciousness?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Non-positivist Methodologies
Discuss the importance of interpretive understanding in studying social phenomena and point out its limitations.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesMax Weber
Comment on why neo-idealists and symbolic interactionists are critical of positivism in sociology (b) Education as a medium of cultural reproduction
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
Absolute Objectivity is an idea which is regarded as obsolete in sociological research. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
For Weber the combined qualities of "action" and "meaning" were the central facts for sociology's scientific analysis. In light of this critically analyse his theory of social action and its limitations.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
“Chaos does not organize itself into cosmos. We need viewpoints.” Is value-neutrality impossible in sociological studies?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Fact, Value and ObjectivityNon-positivist Methodologies
Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. 1. (a) Idiographic and nomothetic approach
12.5 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Science and Scientific MethodNon-positivist Methodologies
Symbolic interactionism :- (a) Modern capitalist economies has resulted in organisation & in nature of work in various ways which has been interpreted by sociologists in various approaches & its pros & cons. The discussion about capitalist economy remains futile without taking the opinion of Marx into account.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
G. H. MeadNon-positivist Methodologies
Describe the interpretive approach used in sociological research, and briefly explain how researchers strive to maintain objectivity within this methodology.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesFact, Value and Objectivity
Micro sociological understanding of self & society ought to be different from Macro sociological understanding of social-systems. How?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Science and Scientific MethodNon-positivist Methodologies
Sociology emerged as distinct discipline in the late 19th century.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Emergence of SociologyPositivism and Its Critique
Sociology & its relation with Common sense :-
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Sociology and Common SenseScience and Scientific Method
What is critical social research? Discuss the main features of critical social research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Doing Oral History takes you beyond the confines of archives. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Research Methods and Data CollectionNon-positivist Methodologies
Examine how Max Weber's 'Interpretive Sociology' added new dimensions to the subject matter and methodology of Sociology.
25 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies