# File app/models/smerf_answer.rb, line 62
  def validate
    # Decode the raw data
    decode_data()
    # Validate all fields present
    errors = validate_object_fields()
    # Process subquestion for this answer
    @subquestion_objects = nil
    if (!@subquestions.nil? and !@subquestions.empty?)
      # Process and validate subquestions 
      @subquestion_objects = Array.new
      errors += validate_sub_objects(SmerfQuestion, 
          @subquestions, "sort_order", @subquestion_objects)
    end 
    
    # Clear data no longer required, this will reduce the amount of data 
    # saved to the DB
    cleanup()
    
    return errors
  end