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IGNOU MSO
Exam Question Pattern
MSO-002

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 Question Paper Pattern …
Research Methodologies and Methods

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 We are here to help you…
It is in our DNA. We were born out of a
project to help students!

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We are here to help you!
If you are a faculty or student of IGNOU, this document may be just what you need!

IGNOU has a vast syllabus, there is minimal support from the study centers and university.
But, the exams are as tough as exams for regular programs, if not tougher. Unfortunately,
the students, most of whom are working, don’t get sufficient support for their exams.

We at PsychoTech Services have launched several efforts to help IGNOU students – if you
haven’t visited our IGNOU MSO Corner yet, now might be the right time! Back in 2015, we
created the first version of our ‘IGNOU Question Paper Pattern Analysis’ with the objective of
helping IGNOU students with their theory examinations. Several copies and duplicates soon
surfaced. Some of them very brightly colored with fancy graphics. But none with the same
high level of accuracy and quality of analysis and insights.

While this document and the analysis in it would help you a lot, do remember exams are
both a test of your knowledge and your ability to present the answers in a manner that the
examiner is inclined to give you marks. So work on both these aspects – read this for some
very useful tips on How to Score More in your Exams!

Good luck for your exams!!!

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 IGNOU MSO Corner
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 An approach that works…

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An approach that works…
Our approach is based on a very simple and logical concept… The syllabus of any course
created anywhere on this planet can, typically, be broken into three parts – 1. core concepts,
2. important concepts and 3. related but not as important concepts. Now, logically, if you
have to test your students’ knowledge of a subject which of these three would you focus on?

Simple, right ☺ This is the reason we find that the pattern of questions asked in entrance
exams and university exams anywhere in the world clearly mirror the above. Most questions
are asked from the core concepts, some from the important concepts and rarely from
the related concepts.

Therefore, as a student, it does not make sense for you to put equal effort in all subjects.
When you prepare for your exams, you must prioritize - ‘by-heart’ the core concepts, learn
the important concepts and touch the related concepts if you intend to score a perfect 100!

How do you know which topic belongs to which category? That is what this document will
help you to know. We analyzed all the question papers available on the IGNOU site, right
from the beginning of the course to find out the relative importance of every part of your
syllabus.

This will help you to get maximum marks with minimum effort!

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 10

 Let’s start!
Question Paper
This document Pattern …
is for: MSO-002

Research Methodologies and Methods

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners

 What is the
Exam Setup like?

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 12

The Examination Setup
Environment:
An examination hall, typically in an IGNOU study center. Depending on your luck – it could be
noisy with lot of cheating, peaceful with strict invigilation, comfortable desks or
uncomfortable broken desks, clean or filthy washrooms. Be mentally prepared for the worst!

Time: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 100

Question Paper Structure:

The question paper structure has been fairly consistent since 2008:
• There are two sections – with 5 questions each.
• All questions have equal (20) marks
• You have to attempt any five questions – minimum two questions from each section.
• The questions are mostly essay type with a 500 word limit
• The questions are usually broken into sub-parts comprising of related questions.*
However, there have been some exceptions – MSO-002 exams from December 2011 to June
2013 and MSO-003 in 2014 and 2017 did not have a restriction by section – students could
answer any of the 9 or 10 questions, respectively.
*In our analysis we have counted them as separate and mapped to the respective IGNOU topics

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 13

 The most important blocks are…

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 14

…blocks 1 and 7!
Whether you look at the recent or lifetime stats, Blocks 1 and 7 are the most important,
followed by blocks 2 and 4 respectively. Just look at the consistency!

Weightage of different blocks in exams, %age of total marks

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 Block 6 Block 7 Block 8

Last 3
24% 12% 9% 14% 8% 3% 23% 7%
years

Last 5
23% 12% 9% 12% 7% 8% 22% 7%
years

Lifetime 21% 12% 9% 12% 9% 8% 21% 8%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 15

 Now, let’s look at the
Most Important Units
We suggest students to use this list
for the final full reading before exams –
so that you do not miss any important
chapters in case of insufficient time.

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 16

 Please note and remember:
The %age numbers in this document, unless
specified otherwise, refer to the marks of the
particular block, unit or topic as a %age of
the total marks for the subject during the
particular time period – lifetime (all exams
till date), last 5 years or last 3 years.

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 17

The Top 10 units – Priority 1
Unit Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

Unit 25 Field Research II 8.7% 10.0% 11.7%

Unit 12 Types Of Research 6.2% 4.0% 5.0%

Unit 1 Logic Of Inquiry In Social Science Research 6.0% 7.8% 8.3%

Unit 2 Empiricism 5.7% 7.0% 6.7%

Unit 15 Sampling Methods And Estimation Of Sample Size 5.6% 7.0% 8.3%

Unit 20 Survey Method 5.1% 6.0% 3.3%

Unit 26 Reliability, Validity And Triangulation 5.0% 6.5% 5.8%

Unit 3 Diverse Logic Of Theory Building 5.0% 5.5% 5.8%

Unit 24 Field Research I 4.9% 3.3% 3.8%

Unit 7 Positivism And Its Critique 4.8% 4.0% 5.0%

Throughout this document:

• Priority 1 chapters are highlighted in yellow background (or text)
• Priority 2 chapters in bold text, and
• Priority 3 in normal text.
Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 18

Next 10 units – Priority 2
Unit Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

Unit 10 Feminist Approach 4.3% 5.0% 5.0%

Unit 29 Using Internet Word Processor 3.9% 4.0% 3.3%

Unit 4 Theoretical Analysis 3.9% 3.0% 3.3%

Unit 13 Methods Of Research 3.3% 4.5% 5.8%

Unit 14 Elements Of Research Design 3.0% 3.0% 3.3%

Unit 5 Issues Of Epistemology 3.0% 3.0% 1.7%

Unit 8 Hermeneutics 2.6% 4.0% 3.3%

Unit 27 Qualitative Data Formatting And Processing 2.6% 2.0% 1.7%

Unit 11 Participatory Method 2.5% 1.8% 1.3%

Unit 9 Comparative Method 2.4% 2.5% 2.5%

Throughout this document:

• Priority 1 chapters are highlighted in yellow background (or text)
• Priority 2 chapters in bold text, and
• Priority 3 in normal text.
Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 19

Remaining units – Priority 3
Unit Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

Unit 16 Measures Of Central Tendency 2.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Unit 21 Survey Design 1.7% 1.0% 0.0%

Unit 6 Philosophy Of Social Science 1.4% 1.3% 1.7%

Unit 32 Tabulation And Graphic Presentation 1.3% 2.0% 1.7%

Unit 19 Correlation And Regression 1.3% 0.0% 0.0%

Unit 30 Using Spss For Data Analysis 1.1% 1.0% 1.7%

Unit 23 Survey Execution And Data Analysis 1.0% 1.0% 0.0%

Unit 33 Guide To Research Project Assignment 0.9% 0.0% 0.0%

Unit 31 Using Spss In Report Writing 0.8% 0.0% 0.0%

Unit 22 Survey Instrumentation 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 20

 Now, let’s look at the topics.
We suggest you use this list for revision –
to ensure that you have learnt
Priority 1 and 2 topics

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 21

The Top 15 topics – Priority 1
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

12.3 Types of Research 5.1% 3.5% 5.0%

15.3 Classification of Sampling Methods 4.6% 5.5% 6.7%

10.4 Features of the Feminist Method 4.3% 5.0% 5.0%

Unit 29 3.9% 4.0% 3.3%

25.7 Case Study and its Types 3.5% 5.0% 5.0%

13.6 Research Methods 2.8% 4.5% 5.8%

14.2 Structuring the Research Process 2.6% 2.3% 2.5%

2.2 Empirical Approach 2.4% 2.5% 2.5%

20.2 Rationale of Survey Research Method 2.2% 2.0% 1.7%

2.7 What is Ethical? 2.1% 3.5% 4.2%

1.3 Comte's Ideas on the Nature of Sociology 2.1% 2.8% 1.7%

20.7 Advantages and Weaknesses of Survey Methods 2.1% 2.3% 1.3%

3.5 Hypothesis, Description and Experimentation 2.1% 1.8% 2.9%

9.4 Elements of the Comparative Approach 2.0% 1.5% 2.5%

7.1 Introduction 1.8% 2.0% 1.7%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 22

Next 45 topics – Priority 2 (1/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

11.4 Delineation of Key Features 1.8% 1.8% 1.3%

24.8 Participant Observation 1.8% 1.3% 2.1%

1.2 A Science of Society 1.7% 3.0% 3.3%

25.3 Interview, its Types and Process 1.7% 2.0% 3.3%

26.9 Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Research 1.7% 2.0% 1.7%

4.3 Critique of Evolutionary and Functional Theories 1.7% 0.0% 0.0%

26.8 Triangulation 1.5% 1.5% 2.5%

7.3 Early Positivism 1.5% 1.0% 1.7%

4.2 Premises of Evolutionary and Functional Theories 1.3% 2.0% 3.3%

25.10 PRA and RRA Techniques 1.3% 2.0% 1.7%

24.3 Ethnography 1.3% 2.0% 1.7%

32.6 Types of ICT used for Research 1.3% 2.0% 1.7%

5.2 Some Major Concerns of Epistemology 1.3% 2.0% 1.7%

27.7 Qualitative Content Analysis 1.3% 1.0% 1.7%

25.4 Feminist and Postmodernist Perspectives on Interviewing 1.3% 1.0% 1.7%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 23

Next 45 topics – Priority 2 (2/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

1.4 Observation in Social Sciences 1.3% 1.0% 1.7%

27.2 Qualitative Data Processing and Analysis 1.3% 1.0% 0.0%

5.6 Phenomenology: Bracketing Experience 1.3% 1.0% 0.0%

3.8 How to Test a Hypothesis 1.2% 1.8% 1.3%

7.5 Critiques of Positivism 1.2% 1.0% 1.7%

12.2 What is Research? 1.1% 0.5% 0.0%

Unit 16 1.1% 0.0% 0.0%

8.1 Introduction 0.9% 1.3% 0.4%

Unit 30 0.9% 1.0% 1.7%

1.5 Logical Understanding of Social Reality 0.9% 1.0% 1.7%

26.2 Concepts of Reliability and Validity 0.9% 1.0% 1.7%

4.6 Post-modernism 0.9% 1.0% 0.0%

21.3 Stages I Phases in Survey Research 0.9% 0.0% 0.0%

6.3 Science, Modernity and Sociology 0.9% 0.0% 0.0%

19.2 Correlation 0.9% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 24

Next 45 topics – Priority 2 (3/3)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

24.2 History of Field Research 0.9% 0.0% 0.0%

15.2 Sampling 0.8% 1.5% 1.7%

8.4 Hermeneutics and Sociology 0.8% 1.3% 1.3%

8.6 The Hermeneutics of Suspicion 0.8% 1.0% 1.7%

23.3 Data Analysis 0.8% 1.0% 0.0%

2.6 Difference between Common Sense and Science 0.8% 1.0% 0.0%

3.4 Why Do We Need Theory? 0.7% 1.5% 0.8%

25.2 Genealogy 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%

16.5 Relationship between Mean, Mode and Median 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%

Unit 31 0.7% 0.0% 0.0%

3.2 Concern with Theory in Sociology 0.5% 0.5% 0.8%

3.3 Concepts: Basic Elements of Theories 0.5% 0.0% 0.0%

6.2 Foundations of Science 0.4% 1.0% 1.7%

21.4 Formulation of Research Question 0.4% 1.0% 0.0%

9.3 The Historical Context 0.4% 1.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 25

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (1/2)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

26.3 Three types of "Reliability" 0.4% 1.0% 0.0%

20.5 Sampling and Survey Techniques 0.4% 1.0% 0.0%

14.1 Introduction 0.4% 0.8% 0.8%

20.4 Defining Survey Research 0.4% 0.8% 0.4%

21.5 Survey Research Designs 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

2.11 Problematising the Object of Study 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

13.5 Types of Data Used in Social Research 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

33.5 Stages of the Research Project 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

24.6 Gaining Entry in the Field 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

24.7 Key Informants 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

19.5 Regression 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

33.4 Preparation for Research Project 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

11.3 The Historical Context 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%

15.4 Sample Size 0.3% 0.0% 0.0%

8.3 Tracing the History of Hermeneutics 0.2% 0.5% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 26

Remaining topics – Priority 3 (2/2)
Topic Lifetime Last 5 years Last 3 years

26.4 Working towards Reliability 0.2% 0.5% 0.0%

26.6 Field Research as a Validity Check 0.2% 0.5% 0.0%

16.6 Choosing a Measure of Central Tendency 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

5.3 Rationalism 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

11.5 Conclusion 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

7.4 Consolidation of Positivism 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

30.2. Starting and exiting SPSS 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

5.4 Empiricism 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

23.2 Problems and Issues in Executing Survey Research 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

25.5 Narrative Analysis 0.2% 0.0% 0.0%

6.4 Rethinking Science 0.1% 0.3% 0.0%

31.3 Charts 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

22.3 Questionnaire Construction 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

2.8 What is Normal? 0.1% 0.0% 0.0%

Note: Numbers refer to marks as %age of total marks for the period, and have been rounded off for easier understanding

PsychoTech Services Sociology Super-Notes Sociology Learners 27

 Now that you know the most
important topics,
What Next?
Move to the next page to find out…

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 Super-Notes
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the best of learning theories from Psychology, design
principles from the world of visualization, and
pedagogical methods from over a decade of training
experience, that enables you to:

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