Model answers for these questions. 61 UPSC questions from Sociology as a Science (1985–2026) are solved in Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions, with a full model answer for each. Use the View answer links in the table, or open the whole unit topic-wise, newest year first.
| Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 'The methods of sociology are inadequate in understanding the complex social phenomena.' Discuss. (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2026 | 'Data without theory is blind and theory without data is empty.' Comment. (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2026 | Is 'interpretativism' more effective than 'positivism' in analysing social reality? Discuss. (20 marks) | View answer |
| 2026 | The major challenge for sociology researchers is to analyze social reality objectively. Critically analyze. (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2025 | What is positivism? Critically analyze the major arguments against it. (20 marks) | View answer |
| 2025 | What is science? Do you think that the methods used in natural sciences can be applied to sociology? Give reasons for your answer. (20 marks) | View answer |
| 2025 | How does Weber's Verstehen address the objectivity-subjectivity debate in sociology? (10 marks) | View answer |
| 2024 | Do you think ‘objectivity’ is an over-hyped idea in sociological research? Discuss the merits and demerits of non-positivist methods. | View answer |
| 2023 | Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises. | View answer |
| 2023 | What are the characteristics of scientific method? Do you think that scientific method in conducting sociological research is foolproof? Elaborate. | View answer |
| 2022 | How does a researcher achieve objectivity in interpretative research? | View answer |
| 2022 | What are the shortfalls of positivist philosophy that gave rise to the non-positivist methods of studying social reality? | View answer |
| 2021 | Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data? Justify your answer. | View answer |
| 2021 | How far are sociologists justified in using positivist approach to understand social reality? Explain with suitable illustrations. | View answer |
| 2020 | Methodology is a system of rules, Principles and procedures, which forms scientific investigation. Comment. | View answer |
| 2020 | Phenomenological perspectives in Sociology reject many of the assumption of positivism, Comment. | View answer |
| 2020 | Is Sociology a Value -free Science? Discuss. | View answer |
| 2018 | Is non-positivistic methodology scientific? Illustrate | View answer |
| 2018 | Does scientific method make Sociology a science? Illustrate your answer with Durkheim’s method. | View answer |
| 2018 | Explain with examples, the explanatory and exploratory designs of social research | View answer |
| 2017 | Examine ethnomethodological and phenomenological perspectives as critique of positivism | View answer |
| 2017 | Examine the basic postulates of positivism and post-positivism. | View answer |
| 2017 | Elaborate the main tenets of interpretative perspective in sociology | View answer |
| 2016 | What is 'value-free sociology' ? Clarify | View answer |
| 2016 | Describe the basic postulates of scientific method. How far are these followed in sociological research ? | View answer |
| 2015 | Is Sociology a Science ? Give reasons for your answer? | View answer |
| 2015 | Discuss the relevance of historical method in the study of society ? | View answer |
| 2015 | “Non-positivistic methodology is essential for understanding human behaviour.” Discuss. | View answer |
| 2014 | 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. | View answer |
| 2014 | In what way 'interpretative' method is different from 'positivist' approach in the study of social phenomena ? | View answer |
| 2013 | Critically examine positivistic approach in sociological studies. (150 words) | View answer |
| 2012 | Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view : Interpretative Sociology. | View answer |
| 2012 | Write short note on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view : Fact Value and Objectivity | View answer |
| 2011 | Write short note on Fact and Value, keeni,, sociological perspective in view. In about 150 words. | View answer |
| 2010 | Write short note on Serendipity. | View answer |
| 2009 | Comment on the reasons why neo-idealists and symbolic interactionists are critical of ‘positivism’ in Sociology | View answer |
| 2009 | Write short note on Problems of objectivity in sociological research | View answer |
| 2008 | Write short note : Role of values in sociological enquiry | View answer |
| 2007 | Write short note : Sociology as a science of society. | View answer |
| 2005 | Write short note : Social research design. | View answer |
| 2004 | Objectivity and Value Neutrality in Social Research. | View answer |
| 2003 | Highlight the problem of objectivity and valueneutrality in Social Research. Elaborate, with suitable examples, the limitations associated with the tools of measurement in Social Science Research. | View answer |
| 2002 | Write short note : Theory and Fact. | View answer |
| 2002 | Write short note : Sociology as a science. | View answer |
| 2000 | Write short note : Problem of objectivity in social research. | View answer |
| 1998 | Write short note : Value neutrality in social science | View answer |
| 1997 | Write short note : A good hypothesis | View answer |
| 1997 | Is it possible to study social phenomenon scientifically? Give a critical answer. | View answer |
| 1996 | Write short note : Value – free sociology | View answer |
| 1995 | Write short note : Methods of science and sociology | View answer |
| 1994 | Write short note : Comparative method in Sociology. | View answer |
| 1993 | Write short note : Significance of objectivity in sociological research. | View answer |
| 1992 | Write short note : Design of sociological research. | View answer |
| 1991 | Write short note : Methods of scientific investigation | View answer |
| 1991 | Write short note : The problem of objectivity | View answer |
| 1990 | Discuss the nature and character of voluntary associations. What is their importance in developing societies ? | View answer |
| 1988 | Write short note : Bearing of research on theory | View answer |
| 1986 | Write short note : The problem of objectivity in Sociology. | View answer |
| 1985 | Write short note : Research Design | View answer |
| 1985 | Write short note : Sociology as a science of society. | View answer |
| 1984 | Write short note : Rapport and objectivity in social science research. | View answer |
Solved PYQs for every Sociology topic
Notes tell you what a thinker said. Sociology Optional PYQ Solutions shows you how UPSC asks it and how a strong answer is written, on every question since 1985.
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