Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions: Topic-wise (1985–2025)

Sociology as a Science (PYQs Solutions)

• What is positivism? Critically analyze the major arguments against it.

• What is science? Do you think that the methods used in natural sciences can be applied to sociology? Give reasons for your answer.

• How does Weber’s Verstehen address the objectivity-subjectivity debate in sociology?

• Do you think ‘objectivity’ is an over-hyped idea in sociological research? Discuss the merits and demerits of non-positivist methods.

• Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises.

• What are the characteristics of scientific method? Do you think that scientific method in conducting sociological research is foolproof? Elaborate.

• How does a researcher achieve objectivity in interpretative research?

• What are the shortfalls of positivist philosophy that gave rise to the non-positivist methods of studying social reality?

• Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data? Justify your answer.

• How far are sociologists justified in using positivist approach to understand social reality? Explain with suitable illustrations.

• Methodology is a system of rules, Principles and procedures, which forms scientific investigation. Comment.

• Phenomenological perspectives in Sociology reject many of the assumption of positivism, Comment.

• Is Sociology a Value-free Science? Discuss.

• Is non-positivistic methodology scientific? Illustrate

• Does scientific method make Sociology a science? Illustrate your answer with Durkheim’s method.

• Explain with examples, the explanatory and exploratory designs of social research

• Examine ethnomethodological and phenomenological perspectives as critique of positivism

• Examine the basic postulates of positivism and post-positivism.

• Elaborate the main tenets of interpretative perspective in sociology

• What is ‘value-free sociology’? Clarify

• Describe the basic postulates of scientific method. How far are these followed in sociological research?

• Is Sociology a Science? Give reasons for your answer?

• Discuss the relevance of historical method in the study of society

• “Non-positivistic methodology is essential for understanding human behaviour.” Discuss.

• Write short answer of the following in about 150 words: How is objectivity different from value neutrality? Discuss with reference to Weber’s views on methodology.

• In what way ‘interpretative’ method is different from ‘positivist’ approach in the study of social phenomena?

• Critically examine positivistic approach in sociological studies. (150 words)

• Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view : Interpretative Sociology.

• Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view : Fact Value and Objectivity

• Write short note on Fact and Value, keeni,, sociological perspective in view. In about 150 words.

• Write short note on Serendipity.

• Comment on the reasons why neo-idealists and symbolic interactionists are critical of ‘positivism’ in Sociology

• Write short note on Problems of objectivity in sociological research

• Write short note : Role of values in sociological enquiry

• Write short note : Sociology as a science of society.

• Write short note : Social research design.

• Objectivity and Value Neutrality in Social Research.

• Highlight the problem of objectivity and value neutrality in Social Research. Elaborate, with suitable examples, the limitations associated with the tools of measurement in Social Science Research.

• Write short note : Theory and Fact.

• Write short note : Sociology as a science.

• Write short note : Problem of objectivity in social research.

• Write short note : Value neutrality in social science

• Write short note : A good hypothesis

• Is it possible to study social phenomenon scientifically? Give a critical answer.

• Write short note : Value – free sociology

• Write short note : Methods of science and sociology

• Write short note : Comparative method in Sociology.

• Write short note : Significance of objectivity in sociological research.

• Write short note : Design of sociological research.

• Write short note : Methods of scientific investigation

• Write short note : The problem of objectivity

• Discuss the nature and character of voluntary associations. What is their importance in developing societies ?

• Write short note : Bearing of research on theory

• Write short note : The problem of objectivity in Sociology.

• Write short note : Research Design

• Write short note : Sociology as a science of society.

• Write short note : Rapport and objectivity in social science research.