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Folia Geographica 2016, 58/2, pp. 54-69

MERANIE SUBJEKTÍVNEJ A OBJEKTÍVNEJ DIMENZIE KVALITY ŽIVOTA Z GEOGRAFICKÉHO HĽADISKA – MEASUREMENT OF SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE DIMENSION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN GEOGRAPHY– Overview of Approaches

Katarína RIŠOVÁ A*

Received: October 10, 2016 | Revised: November 14, 2016 | Accepted: December 22, 2016

A* Matej Bel University, Tajovského 40, 97401 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
katarina.risova@studenti.umb.sk (corresponding author)

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Abstract
The quality of life (QoL) research is characterized for its methodological diversity. The primary aim of this paper is to highlight the differences between the significant approaches on the measure and evaluation of QoL in a geographical setting. The works of Slovak, as well as foreign authors were analysed and compared to demonstrate the advantages, the disadvantages and possibilities of the subjective and the objective QoL. The article also maintains a partial and a holistic approach for assessing QoL, on the different views selected through relevant domains and QoL indicators. In conclusion, two types of indicators are detected and the future possibilities for QoL research are proposed.

Key words
Quality of life indicators, satisfaction of citizens, image of the city, subjective approach, objective approach

SUMMARY

MEASUREMENT OF SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE DIMENSION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN GEOGRAPHY – Overview of Approaches

Increasing inequality between cities and regions over the past decades have led to rapidly growing number of works pertaining to quality of life (QoL). From the point of view of geography, spatial dimension to the QoL research is implemented. The aim of this paper is to maintain the key ways measuring QoL by comparing studies pertaining to QoL. The article also provides an overview of key approaches, including: subjective and objective approaches, partial and holistic approaches. Objective approach uses objective natural and human-created QoL indicators, such as: air pollution, wages, amenities, etc. which are quantified. Subjective approach uses mainly questionnaires that are based on citizens’ opinions. It has often been suggested, that combination of subjective and objective measures is needed. Holistic approach measures wide data sets and it builds bases for comprehensive works. For such studies, multi-criteria statistical analysis is needed. Partial approach examine QoL from the point of view of one or a small set of indicators, dealing with one partial problem. In the future following trends in QoL research can be expected: – efforts to identify origin of QoL status – QoL research will be implied in citizens’ community life participation – Residents will design their own QoL domains and QoL indicators.

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