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.
Discuss the methodological debate between positivism and interpretivism in sociology.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
Micro sociological understanding of self and society ought to be different from macro sociological understanding of social systems - How?
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
G. H. MeadEmergence of Sociology
"Phenomenology represents the most radical departure from the 'scientific' methodology". Critically analyse.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
What does the term “hermeneutics” signify, and in what ways is it applied within the field of sociology?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Compare and contrast the positivist and interpretive approaches in sociology, highlighting their methodologies and areas of strength.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
Values are as important as facts in sociological research. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Fact, Value and ObjectivityPositivism and Its Critique
Critically discuss the role played by Positivist methodology to attain Value neutrality in sociological research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueFact, Value and Objectivity
Doing oral history takes you beyond the confines of the archive. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Research Methods and Data CollectionNon-positivist Methodologies
Sociology under Weber, through his interpretative approach asserted its ‘uniqueness’ and ‘distinctiveness’ from the physical sciences. Examine
20 marks · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
What constitutes critical social research, and what are the primary distinguishing features that define this approach to studying social phenomena?
20 marks · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesFact, Value and Objectivity
What is Interpretative Sociology? How far has it influenced the scope of the discipline?
20 marks · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Critical social science embraces all those approaches in sociology that aim to be critical of society in order to facilitate social change. In this context, discuss the main features of critical social science.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Explain Alvin Gouldner's reflexive sociology as a critique of positivism.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueFact, Value and Objectivity
"Critical ethnography certainly retains problems despite attempts by some sociologists to develop it and overcome objections." Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2021–2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesResearch Methods and Data Collection
Compare and contrast the methodology made use of by Durkheim & Weber in their scientific study of society.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
What are the characteristics of interpretivism? How was it critiqued?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Social sciences cannot depend solely on positivist approach for research.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
What are the challenges in conduct of a participant observation? Illustrate using research work.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data CollectionFact, Value and Objectivity
Positivist and Interpretivist schools in sociology. (b) Feminist perspective on Kinship and Marriage. (c) Risk society and its influence on contemporary society.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
Despite the differences in their approach, positivist and interpretative approach have enriched the sociology as a discipline. Explain.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies
What does the term "hermeneutics" signify, and in what ways is it applied within the field of sociology? (10) Evaluate whether identity politics serves as a divisive or unifying force, using specific examples to support your analysis.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesProtest and Social Movements
What, in Max Weber's view, is the subject matter of sociology? Which principal techniques did he advocate for social science research?
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Max WeberNon-positivist Methodologies
Dependency theories and the interactionist perspective on deviance.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Development and DependencyNon-positivist Methodologies
Critical social science refers to that philosophy which takes into account specific and sectoral social problems of various social groups.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesFact, Value and Objectivity
Origins of Symbolic Interactionism can be traced to Max Weber. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Non-positivist MethodologiesMax Weber
While the positivist school of sociology advocated for use of quantitative methodologies to attain objectivity in research, the latter schools focussing on microsociology emphasised on qualitative methodology. c) In the words of Radhakrishna, 'education is the main agent of social change' that is even powerful than traditional institutions, but education's role in actually yielding changes is equally debated in sociological milieu.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Science and Scientific MethodPositivism and Its Critique
According to non-positivists, what are the limitations of applying scientific methods in sociology?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Non-positivist MethodologiesScience and Scientific Method
Distinguish between nomothetic and idiographic approaches in social research.
15 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Science and Scientific MethodNon-positivist Methodologies
Participant Observation is a convenient approach to gather information, but it can be grossly misleading as well. Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Research Methods and Data CollectionNon-positivist Methodologies
Ethnomethodologists explore the question of how people account for their behaviours. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Non-positivist Methodologies