Sociology I · Topic
Positivism and Its Critique
Comte's and Durkheim's positivism and the critiques of it.
55 UPSC Mains Sociology I questions on Positivism and Its Critique that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
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
Explain the nature and scope of quantitative methods of data collection in sociological research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2022
Research Methods and Data CollectionScience and Scientific Method
"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
"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
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
Critically analyze the contribution of Sociology as a "scientific study of society" to the rational understanding of the social world around us.
25 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Science and Scientific MethodPositivism and Its Critique
'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
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
Durkheim's idea of social facts both established sociology as an independent field of study and provided one of the most convincing arguments for studying society as it is before we decide what it should be". Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Emile DurkheimPositivism and Its Critique
“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
"Scientific temper and rational thinking are essential prerequisites for sociological inquiry." Comment on this statement with reference to the debate on value-neutrality in social research.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Fact, Value and ObjectivityScience and Scientific Method
"Scientific method can be effectively applied to study social phenomena." Do you agree?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
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
"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
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
"Durkheim was not the first thinker to attempt to make sociology a science." Critically examine
20 marks · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
Scientific research method has milestones which guides the research. Critically evaluate how these milestones are applicable in sociology.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
Science and Scientific MethodPositivism and Its Critique
"Suicide as a 'social fact' is an illustration of, Emile Durkheim's views on 'society' and 'methodology'." Discuss
20 marks · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Emile DurkheimScience and Scientific Method
Write a short note on "comparative method in sociology".
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Science and Scientific MethodEmile Durkheim
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
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
Social sciences cannot depend solely on positivist approach for research.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Positivism and Its CritiqueNon-positivist Methodologies