“Objectively superior” vs “subjectively superior”

Objectively superior

Means:

superior according to criteria that do not depend merely on an individual's personal preference.

Example:

Suppose Method A produces reproducible results while Method B produces results that cannot be replicated under the same conditions.

For a research question requiring reproducibility, there may be an objectively defensible reason to prefer A.

Subjectively superior

Means:

regarded as better because of someone's preference, values or taste.

For example:

“I prefer textual analysis because I find it more intellectually satisfying.”

That's subjective.

But subjective does not mean irrational.

Someone can have a reasoned preference.

For example:

“I value historical interpretation more than prediction.”

That is a value judgment.

So there are things that can be:

• objectively better for a particular purpose;
• subjectively preferred;
• both objectively defensible and subjectively preferred.