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# Sociology Daily Answer Writing (20-10-2022)
- URL: https://www.upscprep.com/sociology-daily-answer-writing-20-10-2022/
- Published: 2022-10-20T11:17:51.000Z
- Updated: 2022-10-20T11:17:51.000Z
- Author: UPSCprep.com
- Tags: Socio Daily Writing

### Questions

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 Solutions

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

**Model Structure** 
**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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**2\. Critically examine Positivistic approach in sociological studies. 20**

**Model Structure:**  
(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

**Main Body**

- 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  
    - 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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