NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS CLASS – 11

SOCIOLOGY CHAPTER- 5 DOING SOCIOLOGY:

RESEARCH METHOD

Question 1.
What is objectivity?
Answer:
The ability to carry out an investigation and to collect data without personal
interpretation or bias to influence the process. If we have to rely on a subjective
interpretation of an event (such as ‘Was that an act of aggression or of playfulness?’), we
may find it difficult to maintain our objectivity. Psychologists may choose either to
concentrate on actions which are unquestionably relating to the behaviour of interest
(stabbing someone in the back, for example, could hardly be interpreted as playfulness) or
relying on the shared agreement of more than one observer of the same event
(inter¬observer reliability).

Question 2.
What is observation?
Answer:
This term is used to describe any situation where an observer records behaviour that is
exhibited by a participant. The term ‘observation’ may be used as a technique for
gathering data (i.e. we observe somebody doing something) or as the design of a study. It
leads to such a variety of usage. To give a precise definition of the term
‘observation’ means contrasting it with an experimental study. In an observation there is
no manipulation of an independent variable. There are different types of study that would
be classified as ‘observational’ under this definition.

Question 3.
What is reliability?
Answer:
If a finding is repeated, it is described as being reliable. Within the general meaning of the
term, it is also used more specifically within psychological assessment and research. For a
research finding to be reliable, it must be shown to exist on successive investigations
under the same condition (replication).

For a psychometric assessment to be reliable, it should have both internal and external
reliability. Answers to a questionnaire or inventory may be checked to see if respondents
answer all questions in the same way or if they contradict themselves. This is a measure of
internal reliability. Responses may also be checked over a period of time to see if there is
stability of measurement over times. If respondent gives the same responses or obtains
the same scores consistently over time, then the measure is said to have external
reliability.

1/8
Question 4.
Discuss the research process in sociology.
Answer:
Steps in Research
1. Selection of a specific problem (relevant, current): The problem should have
sociological significance. Define and formulate the problem. Reviving literature/
secondary research-use different sources e.g. Internet, magazine together information
about the problem (reliable sources). Find out information about a specific aspect of the
problem. This helps to formulate a conceptual framework. Now the path for the research
is paved. Formulating a hypothesis. Assumption/tentative, conclusion/opinion of the
researcher on certain aspects of the problem – may/may not be true.

2. Measurement – [Quantitative and Qualitative]:

By assigning values to variables that can be measured by features, attributes etc. It means
research from abstract to concrete and further to a conclusion. It involves validity and
reliability-reliable sources and measuring.
What do you want to measure objectively? When the researcher gets the same result, if he
conducts a research in the same way as another researcher in the same circumstances by
using quantitative methods like statistics and analysis of data.

3. Choosing a research design/technique: Survey is the best research technique. It is a

method used to gather information about a particular issue/problem and also finding out
the views of people and/or interests of people. It is the most common/ effective method of
research. It is usually quantitative.

Sample survey: A small audience represents the population. These are selected from
an area and they represent the whole area.
Random survey: It is done asking people randomly (people selected at random) and
they represent the population.

In a survey, there are three most common ways:

Question uestionnaire
Interview
Case study

4. Collection of Data: After the questionnaire is formed, it is distributed and data is

collected from respondents.
Depending upon the problem, the respondents are selected.

Keep in mind the age/gender/class and the kind of questions when distributing the
questionnaire.

5. Analysis and interpretation of Data:

After the data is collected the whole information is analysed and interpreted. Analysis is
always in percentages specially for close ended questions (choices).
eg. Yes – 75% No – 15 %

2/8
https://www.evidyarthi.in/
6. Evaluation: Conclusion of the whole analysis and the interpretation of the data.
Summary of all the questionnaires/hypothesis Includes

1. Summary
2. Whether your hypothesis has been proved or not.
3. Problems the researcher faces while doing the research such as :
Dishonesty
No interest
Incomplete
Stupid answers
No time
Shyness
If someone was offended by a certain question etc.
More serious problems.

Besides survey, other methods of collecting data can be used:

Ethnography-Field work, stay with population for months and find out the stuff.
Archives-historical facts.
Do commentary (make a movie about it).

Question 5.
What is questionnaire? Discuss advantages and disadvantages.
Answer:
Questionnaire:
Set of questions prepared by the investigator and given to the respondent with option like
yes, no, mock.
A method of collecting data systematically by asking questions which are answered by the
respondent.

Types of Question:

1. Close Ended: Fixed choices are given and you have to tick one. MCQuestion s,
Yes/No/ May be. An analysis is easier.
2. Easier to understand as it is based on facts. Easier for respondent to answer.
3. Objective.
4. Open Ended.
5. Opinion of respondent is asked. Subjective analysis is difficult as you will get
different answers for the same question. It gives more detailed information.
6. A questionnaire should be a combination of these with more close ended questions
to make analysis easier. This will give us percentage of choice and reasons for that
choice.

Question uestions should not be lengthy.

Question uestions should be short/precise and to the point.
Use simple language and convey the same meaning to everyone.
Question uestions should be sensitive to the audience.

3/8
 Question uestions should not be too personal/ more general.
No G.K. questions like who is the prime minister.

Advantages

You can cover a large area in limited time period and large number of people.
Objective, subjectivity doesn’t enter into it.
Comparatively less expensive.
Investigator’s presence is not required.
No bias as there is no face to face interaction.
Many questions can be covered.
No hesitation for the respondent.

Disadvantages

Many a time questionnaires are not taken seriously.

Might be incorrectly filled out.
False identity.
You may not get it back.
Could be incomplete.
Can’t clarify doubts.
Illiterate people can’t answer.

Question 6.
What is an interview? Discuss its advantages and disadvantages. (HOTS)
Answer:
In interview, a set of questions are asked face to face by the interviewer. Interview may be
structured or unstructured. The success of interview depends on the following factors:

Interviewer must be framed, sensitive, confident and qualified.

Have some background of Interviewee.
Should be well prepared for the discussion.
Should be in control.
Patient not pushy.
Just guide the interviewee.
Be as objective as possible.
Has to have alternative questions.
Should not deviate from the topic chosen.
Question uestions showed always go from easy to difficult.

Advantages

Facial expressions can give away emotions to a certain extent. Almost all questions
are answered.
No false identity.
Question uestions are taken seriously.
Universally acceptable.

4/8
https://www.evidyarthi.in/
Disadvantages

Interviews are time consuming

Expensive
There is bias and subjectivity.

How can a researcher avoid bias and error?

Interviewer should not get involved emotionally.

Not forget the objective of the interview.
Not deviate from what he /she has to find out.

Question 7.
What is observation? Discuss its types.
Answer:
Observation: It refers to systematically attending, recording and processing information
through direct participation and observation of the group, tribe or community which is
included in the study. •

There is use of vision for collection of data.

Collection of data by watching people’s behaviour without actually interfering with
it.
Noting down the data as it happens with regard to the cause, phenomenon and
effect.

Observation – as a sociological research:

Specific, valid, reliable, accountable, precise

Precise and no extra details
Objectivity.
Researcher’s opinion should not be expressed.
Validity is important. What you are observing must be related to the problem.
Has to be reliable and accurate.

Types of Observation
Participant

When you are a part of the observation, e.g. in a wedding, you are part of music and
dancing along with observing.
Participant takes active part in all activities of the observed group.
Observed may or may not know the identity of the observer.
Usually the identity of the observer is not known as the observed will become very
conscious.
Subjectivity is present and will be more as your identity bias.
Complete participant observation : identity of observer is not known.

5/8
 Observer stays with the people for days/months. He gets completely involved in
activities of group and stays with them in order to understand them completely and
thorougly.

Non-Participant

When you observe from outside. The observer is not part of the group that is being
observed, e.g.; sitting out in sangeet.
Observed may or may not know of the observer’s identity.
More objectivity than subjectivity-less bias.
Notes more than participant observer.
Personal bias may contaminate the results.
Question uantitative data is less and difficult to find.
Noting sequence is after observation.

Steps involved for participant and non-participant observation:

1. Selection of appropriate group.

2. Familiarise with group and its activities.
3. Do research in sequence.
4. Get involved /observe from outside depending on the type of participation.

Question 8.
Elaborate on the functional method used for the study of sociology.
Answer:
This approach appeared initially as a reaction against the methods and claims of the
evolutionists. Functional analysis is a method of sociological enquiry which examines
social and cultural items by locating them in a wider context. This usually means showing
how these items affect and are affected by others with which they coexist over time, within
the same social system. In other words, functional method refers to the functional
analysis which is also known as “functionalism”. This asserts that the principal task of
sociology is to examine the contribution of social items that make the social and cultural
life of human collectivities. It examines social phenomenon in a way so as to explain why
these items occur at all,why they have persisted?
The central concern is with the source of order and stability in society.
The focus is on:

1. The way social institutions help to maintain order and continuity in social life.
2. The way structural arrangements in society influence behaviour.

It may be said that functional analysis is a method which refers to factors and forces of
integration, equilibrium and also disequilibrium. At a given time, inter-relation between
components of society can be studied from functional point of view.

Question 9.
What is survey method?
Answer:

6/8
https://www.evidyarthi.in/
Survey: It is a systematic collection of facts about a defined social group. The term usually
refers to data collections that employ both interviewing and sampling to produce
quantitative date-sets, amenable to computer based analysis.
Sampling and interviewing are employed in many other research designs. It is the
combination of the two that has led to the social survey or sample survey, becoming the
most important single type of social research, used by all the social sciences, market
research and opinion polls.

1. Surveys can be used to provide descriptive statistics for national, regional or local
population; to examine the clustering of social phenomena; to identify the social location
and characteristics of subgroups for more intensive follow-up case-study research and to
analyse causal processes and test explanations.

2. In recent years sociological survey analysis has been greatly extended to include the
sophisticated multivariate modelling techniques that are common in econometrics.

3. One of the main attractions of the sample survey for both policy research and
theoretical research is its transparency and accountability, methods and procedures can
be made visible and accessible to other parties, unlike research designs that depend
heavily on the contribution of individual researchers.

4. The key disadvantage is that surveys normally use structured questionnaires, which
constrain an enquiry to paths fixed at the start of fieldwork.

5. Other criticism which are sometimes levelled at surveys are that numerical variables
rarely provide adequate operationalization of sociological constructs; the highly
asymmetric power relatipn between researcher and interviewee is detrimental to the
quality of the data collected; they provide a false aura of objectivity which makes their
result vulnerable to political manipulation.

6. Many of these criticisms can be overcome by good survey design and implementation.
Survey interviews may be personal, postal or conducted by telephone. Telephone surveys
are particularly common.

Question 10.
What is sample?
Answer:
A group of people that take part in a research investigation and are presumed to be
representative of the population from which they have been drawn. Because of the
constraints of time, money and practicality, psychologists can hardly ever study the whole
population and therefore are forced to sample from it using one of the sampling methods.

Sampling refers to the process by which research psychologists attempt to select a

representative group from the population under study. As an entire population tends to
be too large to work with, a smaller group of participants must act as a representative

7/8
sample. In an attempt to select a representative sample and thus avoid sampling bias (the
over-representation of one category of participant in the sample), psychologists utilize a
variety of sampling methods, such as:

1. Random Sample: Each member of the population under study stands the same
chance of being selected.
2. Stratified Sample: The composition of the sample reflects the composition of the
population, e.g. 30 percent males, 70 percent females in the population determines
that the sample shall contain a selection of 70 percent females, 30 percent males.
3. Question uota Sample: The researcher selects a quota of people roughly in
proportion to their occurrence in the population (e.g. a quota of different age
groups).
4. Opportunity Sample: Roughly a case of selecting whoever is available at the time at
that location.

8/8
https://www.evidyarthi.in/