Objective and subjective indicators in the research of the quality of life concept

Abstract

In this paper the objective and subjective measures (objective and subjective indicators) of the concept of quality of life research have been discussed. Since the measures are specific, the most part of the paper discusses separately their development and their methodological specifics. At the end of the paper the value of their joint use in the research has been emphasised. Both kinds of measures have their advantages and disadvantages, but in conceptual sense they are complementary. The quality of life is a complicated and multileveled construct which requires complex research approaches. Research has proved that parallel use of both kinds of indicators significantly improves comprehension of the quality of life of inhabitants of a certain geographical area.

Keywords

• quality of life
• measurement methods
• objective indicators
• subjective indicators