Abstract:

The study's purpose: to pinpoint problems with reliability and validity of particular survey questions. Subjectivity is thus associated with a lack of reliability and validity. Now obviously, objective scientific research has to concern itself very much with reliability and validity; but the pertinent question here is: reliability and validity with respect to which criteria? If we register a respondent as saying no, for heaven's sake to a particular question, we may want to know his or her answers to related questions and the strength of his or her feelings with respect to those; shortly, the universe or concourse for that particular respondent. Reliability and validity may then be established within the subjective experience, as communicated to the researcher, of this person; shortly: a single case analysis.