Sociology I · Topic
Science and Scientific Method
Whether sociology is a science; the scientific method and its critiques (Popper, Kuhn, Feyerabend).
106 UPSC Mains Sociology I questions on Science and Scientific Method that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
'Research is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what nobody else has pondered.' Discuss
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Sociology and Common SenseScience and Scientific Method
What are the salient features of positivism? How was positivism critiqued?
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
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
Critically evaluate the contribution of Positivism as an important philosophy and research methodology in sociological understanding of 'social reality'.
20 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
Explain the importance of hypothesis in formulation of sociological theories.
15 marks · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2014
Variables, Sampling and HypothesisScience and Scientific Method
“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
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
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
Comparative Method in sociology: Importance and limitations. 1(b) Positivism and its contestations: How these enriched sociology?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2021
Positivism and Its CritiqueScience and Scientific Method
Answer the following in about 150 words each: 10x5=50 "The journey from hypothesis to theory is the essence of the scientific method in Sociology." Explain. "Pluralism presents an idealized view of pressure groups' role in democracy." Evaluate. What is meant by collective consciousness? Discuss its role in maintaining social cohesion.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Power and ElitesScience and Scientific Method
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
What is the importance of Merton's Middle Range Theory in Sociology? Critically discuss. Critically examine the features of 'critical social research'. Discuss the importance of 'Pilot Studies' in sociological research. What do you mean by Ethnocentrism? Discuss its advantages and disadvantages in Sociology.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
Robert K. MertonScience and Scientific Method
Explain the historical analysis as a research method in sociology. Marx's idea of history was opposed to philosophy of idealism. Examine the statement in the context of materialist conception of history.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Karl MarxScience and Scientific Method