ABSTRACT
Methodology is an essential part of the philosophy of science, which deals with the framework, conditions, rules, methods and targets of gaining knowledge. It deals with the development of theories and hypotheses as well as their examination with special focus on the collection of empirical data and their processing. Reading and digesting questionnaires or other research documents does not really help to draw reliable and valid conclusions. In empirical research, measurement is the allocation of figures or symbols to empirical objects and their characteristics and relations according to specific rules. Data collection delivers a specific reality that is determined by the research interest and depending on the data collection process and subsequent statistical analysis. The collection and analysis of data in empirical research projects is often marred by a peculiar polarity of quality and quantity. Reliability describes to what extent it is possible to reproduce measurements under the same intersubjective conditions.
