Sociology I · Topic
Research Methods and Data Collection
Qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques of data collection: survey, interview, questionnaire, observation, case study.
97 UPSC Mains Sociology I questions on Research Methods and Data Collection that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
"The observer becomes the observed in participant observation." Examine. Evaluate the impact of affirmative action on historical inequalities.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data CollectionEquality, Inequality and Exclusion
COVID-19 and research methodology; 5(a) Changing scope of sociology with reference to pandemic.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Sociology and Other Social SciencesResearch Methods and Data Collection
Do you agree to the view that interviews expose gaps between perception and reality.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data Collection
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
Highlight the challenges involved in collecting data through social survey. How do researchers overcome these challenges?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Research Methods and Data CollectionVariables, Sampling and Hypothesis
"A researcher's method of research is influenced by number of variables." Discuss.
15 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2015
Research Methods and Data CollectionVariables, Sampling and Hypothesis
How viable is Interview Method in present era of social-distancing and virtual world? Can we eliminate it altogether, given the imp. of the method? In Marx's view, social stratification is created by people's differing relationship to the means of production. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Research Methods and Data CollectionKarl Marx
Focus group technique (c) Historical materialism (d) Objectivity in sociology (e) Iron cage of bureaucracy Q3(a) Sociology and economy (b) Class-in-itself and class-for-itself (c) Collective conscience
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Research Methods and Data Collection
“Participant observation in many situation is nothing more than a case study”.
15 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Research Methods and Data Collection
"Ageing is a demographic reality for many countries including India." Which method of data collection is suitable for understanding the situation of elderly ppn. Critically examine
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Research Methods and Data Collection
Examine the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method of data collection using appropriate examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Research Methods and Data Collection
Elaborate limitations associated with tools of measurement in social science research.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Research Methods and Data CollectionScience and Scientific Method
Discuss the significance of hypotheses in social research as well as their sources.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Variables, Sampling and HypothesisResearch Methods and Data Collection
Supporters of participant observation have argued that, compared to other research techniques, it is least likely to lead to sociologists imposing the reality of the social world they seek to understand. Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Research Methods and Data Collection
How can the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods enhance the quality of sociological research? Provide a detailed discussion with appropriate examples to illustrate their respective strengths and weaknesses.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Research Methods and Data Collection
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
"The observer becomes the observed in participant observation." Examine.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data Collection
Participant Observation is a convenient approach to gather information particularly qualitative data about a population, but it can be grossly misleading as well. State out the advantages as well as disadvantages of Participant observation in sociological analysis. To what extent does the study of social mobility play a vital part in understanding the class structure of our society? Merton's theory of anomie is a borrowing but essentially different from that of Durkheim. Critically examine. Do you think the feminisation of work has led to gender equality? Justify your answer with logical arguments. Protests and agitation are symptomatic of skewed development in society. Discuss in context of India along with relevant examples. Highlight the various "social pathologies" within marriage in contemporary times. It is observed that young adults around the world are less religious by several measures. Give some theoretical strands in support of this observation. Discuss Ogburn's theory of social change. What are the major dimensions of secularisation in the modern world? Discuss the factors inhibiting the growth of secularisation in India. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and The Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021 reinforce the idea of family as a patriarchal heterosexual and casteist institution and fail to account for other models of chosen families. Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Research Methods and Data Collection
What can be the best research method for determining the impact of COVID-19 on our society? Discuss with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Research Methods and Data Collection
Importance of hypothesis in formulation of sociological theories Q1)c) Objectivity as a sociological goal Q2)a) Examine relevance and significance of theories of development & dependency in present globalising society.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2016
Fact, Value and ObjectivityResearch Methods and Data Collection
Though all valid data is reliable, but reliability alone does not ensure the validity of an experiment. Discuss. Q.1(e) "No society can be absolutely open or absolutely closed." Comment.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Variables, Sampling and HypothesisResearch Methods and Data Collection
Analyse the impact of artificial intelligence in sociological research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data CollectionScience, Technology and Social Change
Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Research Methods and Data Collection
Participant Observation is a convenient approach to gather information particularly qualitative data about a population, but it can be grossly misleading as well. State out the advantages as well as disadvantages of Participant observation in sociological analysis.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Research Methods and Data Collection
Critically examine the importance of comparative method in sociological research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Science and Scientific MethodResearch Methods and Data Collection
Questionnaires are the most commonly used method of collecting data, as they are useful for gathering large quantities of data, but are faced with certain limitations. Examine.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Research Methods and Data Collection
Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of participant observation method in social research.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Research Methods and Data Collection
Significance of case studies as a method of data collection
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Research Methods and Data Collection
What measures can be employed to minimize the potential influence of the researcher in the process of collecting data through interviews?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Research Methods and Data CollectionFact, Value and Objectivity
Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. (a) "Methodological pluralism is a panacea that can solve all research problems." Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Science and Scientific MethodResearch Methods and Data Collection