For Pre PhD Course works

1. SETTING OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

2. OUTLINE
Meaning of research objectives
Characteristics of research objectives
 Importance of research objectives
 Types of research objectives
Qualities of specific objectives

3. INTRODUCTION
 Research is an organized investigation of a problem in which there is an
attempt to gain solution of a problem. To get right solution of a right problem,
clearly defined objectives are very important which enlightens the way in
which the researcher has to proceed.
 A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides
direction to investigate the variables under the study i.e they are identified by
your base paper and gap of the study and provides you with a road map for
your study.
 Research objectives focus on the ways to measure the variables, such as a
research project summarize what is to be expected/ achieved by the study of a
project.
 They are usually expressed in lay terms (simple language that anyone can
understand) and are directed as much to the client /researcher.

4. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
 They may be linked with a hypothesis or used as a statement of purpose in a
study that does not have a hypothesis, from the hypothesis, s/he should be able
to understand the research from the objectives.
 A research objective must be achievable i.e. it must be framed keeping in
mind the available time, infrastructure required for research, and other
resources.
 Before forming a research objective, you should read about all the
developments in your area of research and find gaps in knowledge that need
to be addressed.
 Sometime objectives are directed towards identifying the relationship or
difference between two variables.
 Objective should be closely related to the statement of the problem.

5. Continue…………
 Research objectives are the specific actions/ activities to answer the research
questions .
 They are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what
researcher is going to do, where, & for what purpose.
 Objectives may be specified in the form of actions (verbs) to answer the
posed questions- generally objectives begin with to :
 discover …, determine …, establish …access……, identify……, compare
…., analyze , evaluate….., find out….., verify…, calculate…,describe…etc.
 The objectives should be presented briefly & concisely and realistic
considering local conditions..
 They cover the different aspects of the problem & its contributing factors.

6. A statement of research objectives can serve to guide the activities of
research. Consider the following examples:
 To describe what factors farmers take into account in making such decisions
as whether to adopt a new technology or what crops to grow.
 To develop a budget for reducing pollution by a particular enterprise.
 To describe the habitat of the giant panda in China.
In these examples the intent of the research is largely descriptive.
 In first e.g, the research will end the study by being able to specify factors
which emerged in household decisions.
 In the second, the result will be the specification of a pollution reduction
budget.
 In the third, creating a picture of the habitat of the giant panda in China.
 These observations might prompt researchers to formulate hypothesis which
could be tested in another piece of research, as the aim of the research is
exploratory.

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
 Research objectives is a concrete statement describing what the research is
trying to achieve. A well-worded objective will be SMART, i.e Specific,
Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, & Time-bound.
 They should be Relevant, Feasible, Logical, Observable, Unequivocal &
Measurable.
 Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected
timeframe &with the available resources.
 The objective of research/project summarizes what is to be achieved by the
study.
 The objective include obtaining answers to research questions or testing the
research hypothesis.

8. Importance of objectives
 Research objectives are set at the very start of a project to guide the research.
Their main role is to ensure you gain insights that are relevant and useful.
 First you should determine your primary research objective.
 A clearly defined/specific objectives are important feature of a good research
study &directs a researcher in the right direction.
 Without a clear objective a researcher is aimless,directionless in conducting
the study and no replicable scientific findings can be expected.
 Narrows and focus the study.
 Facilitate development of research methodology.

9. Why need Research Objectives?
The formulation of research objectives will help the researcher as follows:
 With clearly defined objectives, the researchers can focus on the study.
 Avoid the collection of unnecessary data which are not strictly necessary for
understanding & solving problem that he/she has defined e.g when the
researcher is interested in identifying the presence or absence of chosen
variables but not in detailed description he can avoid collection of unwanted
information.
 The formulation of objectives organize the study in clearly defined parts or
phases. So the objectives help organize the study results in to main parts as per
the preset objectives.
 Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of
research methodology & will help to orient the collection, analysis,
interpretation, &utilization of data.
 Establish the limits of the study.

10. TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. GENERAL
OBJECTIVES.
2. SPECIFIC
OBJECTIVES

11. Types of Research Objectives
 General Objective
 General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.
 Their study states what the researcher expects to achieve by the study in
general terms.
 They are usually less in number,are broken into small logically connected
parts to form specific objectives.
 Research Statement: “Effectiveness of planned teaching on the knowledge of
staff nurses working in psychiatric unit regarding physical restraints for
psychiatric patient in selected hospital of Vidharbha region”
 “ A quasi experimental study on the effects of poverty on education among
selected cities in India”.
States what is to be achieved by the study in general terms: Usually only one
per study, Related to core problem ,topic of the study and shows target
population and place .

12. Specific objectives
 Specific objectives are short term & narrow in focus.
 They are more in number (Several in one study )& systematically address
various aspects of problem as defined under ‘the statement of problem & key
factor that is assumed to influence or causes the problem.
 They clearly specify what the researcher will do in the study, where and for
what purpose the study is done.
 Variables are measured by using action verb.

13. Qualities of specific objectives
 Stated in logical sequence
 Clear and unambiguous: What is to be done?
 Specific: Addressing one thing only
 Measurable: Can be evaluated
Use proper action verbs (Determine, Find out, Identify)
 Attainable, given the resources available
 Realistic, given the local conditions
 Time bound, can be achieved in the given time

14. Example: To determine the factors associated with increased number of diarrhea
cases among under fives in X village
 To assess the knowledge regarding Physical Restraints among nurses working
in psychiatric unit.
 To evaluate the effect of planned teaching on Physical Restraints among
nurses.
 To associate the knowledge with selected demographic variables.
 To assess the effects of poverty on education among….
 To determine the prevalence of poverty among…
 To compare the severity of morning sickness among…
 To identify the relationship of poverty with age or other selected demographic
variables.
 To find out methods used for excreta disposal.
 To find out methods used for water treatment.

15. Reference:
 Patidar, D. (2013, May 7). Writing research
objectives. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from
http://www.slideshare.net/drjayeshpatidar/writingr
esearch-objectives?qid=58ed8ef2-8f71-491f-
82c4f4f34ea967fc&v=default&b=&from_search=1

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