AIR 73 · CSE 2021 · Sociology I · 52 pages

Namrata Choubey: Sociology I answer copy

19 answers by Namrata Choubey, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)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
  2. Q1(b)Sociology and common sense converge at some points, but diverge more often. Evaluate the statement.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)Discuss the role of questionnaire as a tool of data collection in sociological research.10 marks
  4. Q1(d)Explain the institutional ethnography approach with examples.10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Examine the utility of reliability and validity in social research by giving suitable examples.10 marks
  6. Q2(a)'Sociology grew as a product of the reflection of great thinkers reflecting on society'. Comment.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)Sampling is a convenient tool to gather information about a population, but it can be grossly misleading as well. State out the limitation of sampling in sociological analysis.20 marks
  8. Q2(c)'A good hypothesis should be specific enough to be falsifiable'. Explain.10 marks
  9. Q3(a)Sociology and political science are so closely related to each other that one becomes meaningless without other. Analyse.20 marks
  10. Q3(b)Explain the difference between the positivist and interpretative approaches to the scientific method in sociology.20 marks
  11. Q3(c)"Participant observation has many practical disadvantages." Substantiate with examples.10 marks
  12. Q5(a)Discuss the linkage between industrialization and changes in family structure.10 marks
  13. Q5(b)Examine the functions and dysfunctions of 'informal sector' in India.10 marks
  14. Q5(c)Self-Help Group (SHG) as an informal organization from a sociological perspective.10 marks
  15. Q5(d)Critically examine 'cultural lag' theory of social change.10 marks
  16. Q5(e)'Feminization of work has not led to gender equality'. Do you agree? Comment.10 marks
  17. Q6(a)Critically analyze the impact of information technology on the social organization of work in the contemporary society.20 marks
  18. Q6(b)'A rigid bureaucracy is not always the most efficient way to attain organizational goals'. Comment.20 marks
  19. Q6(c)Critically examine 'conflict theory' of social change.10 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 184 words written

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.

Opening · a definition

Methodological pluralism refers to using a combination of different kinds of methods/approaches towards understanding and explanation of a research problem. In Sociology, thinkers like Max Weber advocated methodological pluralism in research.

Body · points

A Panacea for all research problems

  1. It is most appropriate way of approaching the study of complex subjects. Something as complex as society cannot be explained using one method/approach.

For example, Human behaviour can be explained both by his personal interpretation as well as impact of outside institution.

Therefore, to understand human action, a combination of micro as well as macro approach will be more apt.

  1. Methodological pluralism also provides the opportunity to constantly investigate the established fact and a possibility to discover something not known, thus expanding the scope of research.

Not a panacea always

  1. It will give too many variables, facts and approaches, difficult to choose the most suitable one, hampering objectivity.
  2. The theories may become too complex, with no scalability or practical use in real world.

Close

Methodological pluralism is suitable for studying society, but only till it is streamlined and zeroed in on limited useful methods.