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# Sociology Daily Answer Writing (26-07-2022)
- URL: https://www.upscprep.com/sociology-26-july-2022-upsc/
- Published: 2022-07-25T17:36:37.000Z
- Updated: 2022-08-09T04:53:37.000Z
- Author: UPSCprep.com
- Tags: Socio Daily Writing

### Questions 

[ Sociology QCAB Week 5 Day 2 Sociology QCAB (Week 5 - Day 2).pdf 104 KB download-circle ](https://www.upscprep.com/content/files/2022/07/Sociology-QCAB--Week-5---Day-2-.pdf "Download") 

### Model Solutions

[ Sociology Week 5 day 2 Sociology Week 5 (day 2).pdf 387 KB download-circle ](https://www.upscprep.com/content/files/2022/07/Sociology-Week-5--day-2-.pdf "Download") 

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1\. Differentiate between objectivity and value neutrality in sociological research. 10

2\. Critically examine Positivistic approach in sociological studies. 20 

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###  Model Structure 1.

**Introduction** 

● Define objectivity and value neutrality 

**Main Body** 

● Objectivity means striving as far as possible to reduce or eliminate bias in the conduct of research. 

● Value neutrality, as described by Max Weber, is the duty of sociologists to identify and acknowledge their own values and overcome their personal biases when conducting sociological research. 

● Objectivity is an imperative of value-free sociology or positivism 

● A positivist research has goals such as quantification, containment of social reality as facts, data analysis etc., 

● Invariably there must be objectivity in such research. 

● Moreover, quantification in itself is a way to achieve objectivity 

● Value neutrality is an imperative of non-positivists 

● When using techniques such as observation or interview, there are some preconditions like ideology of the researcher, topic of the research, distance between researcher and researched exist 

**Conclusion** 

● Hence, objectivity is not possible. Value contamination is bound to happen 

● In order to be value-neutral, sociologists must be aware of their own moral judgments and values, and avoid incorporating them into their research, their conclusions, and their teaching.

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### Model Structure 2.

 (Note: Provide features of Positivist perspective in sociology. Also engage critically with these arguments as the directive in this question is ‘Critically Examine’)

**Introduction** 

● Definition of Positivistic Approach OR Emergence of Positivistic Approach 

**Model Framework** 

● Features of Positivistic Approach - 

○ Empiricism and identification of surface reality 

○ Cause and Effect analysis 

○ Objectivity 

○ Use of Scientific Methodology - Direct Observation, Data collection, etc. 

○ Uncovering the laws that governs human behaviour 

○ Grand theories explaining every phenomenon 

● Proponents of Positivistic Approach - 

○ Comte (social physics) 

○ Durkheim’s Social facts 

○ Spencer Organismic Analogy - Social Darwinism 

● Criticism with EXAMPLES - 

○ Neo-Kantians - Problems of Objectivity, Generalisation, Quantification 

○ Phenomenologists - Alfred Schutz 

○ Ethnomethodologists - Garfinkel 

○ Symbolic Interactionism - G H Mead 

○ Weber's Interpretativism 

1. Method of verstehen, causal pluralist method and Ideal types as an alternatives to positivist methods in sociology

○ Post-modernist like Foucault rejected grand theories in Sociology 

● EXAMPLES ARE MUST IN CRITICISM:- 

○ Multiple Meanings for Social action like marriage 

○ Values may seep in - Marxists, Functionalists.

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