NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Sociology (Introducing Sociology) Chapter 5 Doing Sociology Research Methods – Text
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NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 11th
aglase .co
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Book : Introducing Sociology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 Sociology
Class : 11th
Subject : Sociology
Chapter : 5
Chapter Name : Doing Sociology : Research Methods
Q1 Why is the question of a scientific method particularly important in sociology ?
Answer. The scientific methods hold importance in the field of sociology as the field of
scientism is based upon methods and processes. So, when the conclusion is derived by the
sociologists then they can legitimise it by making the methods visible to the masses by which
they have acquired the respective knowledge.
Page : 101 , Block Name : Exercises
Q2 What are some of the reasons for 'objectivity' being more complicated in social sciences ,
particularly disciplines like sociology ?
Answer. The sense of 'objectivity' is not easy to achieve in the context of social sciences like
sociology.The main reasons for this problematic position are the stereotyped notions of an
individual while analysing an issue.These inherent discriminatory tendencies overlap with the
qualities of being neutral and achieve objectivity in social sciences.Another problem is the
subjective characteristics of different terms in social sciences , which hinder the formation of an
objective definition.
Q3 How do sociologists try to deal with these difficulties and strive for objectivity ?
Answer. The sociologists often use the self-reflexivity to avoid and nullify the difficulties in
achieving objectivity as they undo the individualistic interpretation and analyse a position from a
second person's lens in order to minimise biases against the particular sections of the society.
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Book : Introducing Sociology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 Sociology
Q4 What is meant by 'reflexivity' and why is it important in sociology ?
Answer. The process of 'reflexivity' deals with the achievement of objectivity in the sociological
lens where a sociologist takes an outsider's opinion and looks from another perception towards
a social construct or structure . It's a very important process in sociology as it helps the people
to attain objectivity in such a subjective subject.
Q5 What are some of the things that ethnographers and sociologists do during participant
observation ?
Answer. During the 'Participant observation' , the ethnographers try to study the ethnic groups
and beliefs associated with that respective group and sociologists in this process ,study about
the culture and the sociological patterns of the 'subject community'.
Q6 What are the strengths and weaknesses of participant observation as a method ?
Answer. The main strengths of the participant observation method are:
(a) It is used to derive the information regarding a particular group.
(b) It is mainly concentrated towards a group with cultural,social and religious exclusivity.
(c) It helps the ethnographers to extract the information regarding a particular ethnic group.
(d) It takes the environmental changes and the times changes also into consideration.
The main weaknesses of participant observation method are:
(a) It is very time consuming and doesn't give quick results.
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Book : Introducing Sociology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 Sociology
(b) The sensitivity of questions is to be taken into consideration with respect to social and
intellectual changes.
Q7 What are the basic elements of the survey method ?What is the chief advantage of this
method ?
Answer. The basic elements of the survey method are :
-Respondents.
The respondents are the basic elements of the survey method as it involves the subjects or
individuals which response to the respective questions.
-Investigators.
These are considered as the elements of this method as they are the people responsible for
asking the correct questions in an ideal environment.
-Questionnaires or Responses.
The responses by different individual form an element as they help in the future examination of
the topic or scenario.
-Technology.
The use of media and its impact has been considered as the newest element in the survey
method as it helps in the extraction and analysis of the process quite well.
The main advantage of this method is that it targets and accommodates the whole population
rather than a particular group of the society.
Page : 102 , Block Name : Exercises.
Q8 Describe some of the criteria involved in selecting a representative sample .
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Book : Introducing Sociology Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 5 Sociology
Answer. There are two main principles that determine the selection of representatives in the
survey method.The first principle revolves around the selection of the representative by taking
the subgroups into consideration for example in the context of India the representative sample
should include the subgroups like village panchayats, zila parishads ,trade unions, women's
associations etc. The second principle for selecting the representation sample is to choose it by
random selection or probability without any risk of personal bias or stereotypes.
Page : 102 , Block Name : Exercises.
Q9 State some weaknesses of survey method.
Answer. The main reason for the weaknesses of survey method is that it gives the larger
coverage regarding the masses but it lacks in providing the in depth discriminatve and
oppressive structures or institutions like family ,religion etc.The another weakness of this
method revolves around whether the questionnaires are being asked to the people in the same
way or not. Lastly the issue of trust and privacy arises as to whether the people will respond to
the questions that are sensitive which threaten to invade their privacy.
Page : 102 , Block Name : Exercises.
Q10 Describe the main features of the interview as a research method?
Answer. The main features of the interview as a research method are:
-The interview is based upon the interaction between the respondent and the interviewer.
-The interview requires an extensive research regarding the respondent like his/her
caste,creed,community,culture, etc.
-The interview requires the structured questionnaire.
-The individual sensitivity and the environmental consideration is also very important feature of
interview as a research method.
Page : 102 , Block Name : Exercises.
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