Research is an organized investigation of a problem in which there is an attempt to gain solution to a problem. To get right solution of a right problem, clearly defined objectives are very important. Clearly defined objectives enlighten the way in which the researcher has to proceed.

1. RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES
PRESENTED BY:
MS.M.SHANMUKHADEVI
M.SC NURSING,
ASST.PROFESSOR,
DEPT.OF MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING.

2. Research is an organized investigation of a problem
in which there is an attempt to gain solution to a problem.
To get right solution of a right problem, clearly defined
objectives are very important. Clearly defined objectives
enlighten the way in which the researcher has to proceed.
Therefore, clearly defined objectives are an
important feature of a good research study without which
the researcher is aimless and direction less in conducting
the study, resulting in wastage of resources.
Without focused objectives, no replicable scientific
findings can expected from any type of research. Once the
need for research information has been clear defined, there
searcher must specify the objectives of proposed research
and develop a specific list of information needed. "

3. • Objectives formulated in quantitative and
qualitative studies are quite similar; however,
objectives formulated in qualitative studies are
broad and include variables that are more
complex and abstract in nature.

4. Meaning of Research Objectives
A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative
statement, which provides direction to investigate the
variables.' Generally, research objectives focus on the ways
to measure the variables, such as to identify or describe
them. Sometimes objectives are directed towards
identifying the relationship or difference between two
variables.
'Research objectives are the results sought by the
researcher at the end of the research process, i.e. what the
researcher will be able to achieve at the end of the research
study.‘
The objectives of a research project summarize what is
to be achieved by the study. Objectives should be closely
related to the statement of the problem.

5. Characteristics
of
Research
Objectives
SPECIFIC
Realistic
Attainable
Relevant
Measurable
Feasible
Time-
bound
Logical
Unequivocal
Observable

6. Characteristics of Research Objectives
• Research objective 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, and
Time-bound.
• Research objective should be Relevant, Feasible, Logical,
Observable, Unequivocal, and Measurable.
• Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within
the expected timeframe and with the available resources.
• The objective of research project summarizes what is to be
achieved by the study.
• The research objectives are the specific accomplishments the
researcher hopes to achieve by the study.
• The objectives include obtaining answers to research questions
or testing the research hypotheses.

7. Need of Research Objectives: The formulation of research
objectives will help the researcher to:
 Focus: With clearly defined objectives, the researchers can focus
on the study. If they know what they have to achieve ultimately,
they will concentrate on the ways to achieve it. The formulation
of research objectives helps in narrowing down the study to its
essentials. It will avoid the unnecessary findings, which
otherwise lead to wastage of resources, man, money, and
material.
 Avoid: The formulation of research objectives helps the
researcher to avoid the collection of data which are not strictly
necessary for understanding and solving problem that he or she
has defined. For example, a researcher is only interested in
identifying the presence or absence of variables but not in
detailed description of related factors, where research objective
will help the researcher to avoid collation of unwanted
information.

8.  Organize: The formulation of objectives organizes the study in
clearly defined parts or phases.
For example, if a researcher is conducting a research study on
the effects of ginger on morning sickness among pregnant
women, the objectives are formulated as
(a) to assess the prevalence of morning sickness among
pregnant women and
(b) to identify the effect of ginger on morning sickness
symptoms among pregnant women. These objectives help
organize the study results in two main parts: the first one focuses
on the prevalence of morning sickness; the second part will focus
on effect of ginger on morning sickness.
 Directions: Properly formulated, specific objectives will
facilitate the development of research methodology and will help
to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation, and utilization of
data.

9. Types of Research Objectives: The research objectives are of two
types:
1. General objectives:
General objectives are broad goals to be achieved. The general
objective of the study states what the researcher expects to achieve by
the study in general terms. General objectives are usually less in
number.
2. Specific objectives:
Specific objectives are for short term and narrow in focus.
General objectives can be broken into small logically connected parts
to form specific objectives. General objective is met through
accomplishing all the specific objectives. The specific objectives are
more in number and they systematically address various aspects of
problem as defined under the statement of problem and the key factor
that is assumed to influence or cause the problem. They should
specify what the researcher will do in the study, where, and for what
purpose.

10. Method of Stating Objectives:
While stating the objectives of the study, the
following guidelines must be taken care of:
The objectives should be presented briefly and concisely.
They cover the different aspects of the problem and their
contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical
sequence.
They are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying
exactly what researcher is going to do, where, and for
what purpose.
They are realistic considering local conditions.
They use action verbs that are specific enough to be
evaluated.

11. • Examples of action verbs are: to assess, to identify, to
Findout, to Determne, to compare, to find, to verify, to
calculate, to describe, to Analyse, to establish, etc….,
• Avoid the use of vague non action verbs such as:
appreciate, to understand, to study etc….
• A researcher should always keep in mind that when the
project is evaluated, the results will be compared to the
objectives.
• If the objectives have not been spelled out clearly, the
project cannot be considered complete.

12. Example of General and Specific Objectives
Research statement: A quasi-experimental study on the effects of ginger
on morning sickness among pregnant women in selected cities of A.P.
General objective: The general broad-based objective of this study is:
To assess the effects of ginger on morning sickness among pregnant
women.
Specific objectives: This general objective will be split into the
following specific objectives:
To determine the prevalence of morning sickness symptoms among
pregnant women.
To compare the severity of morning sickness symptoms among primi-
gravida and multi-gravida.
To compare the effects of ginger on morning sickness in multi-gravida
and primi-gravida.
To identify the relationship of effectiveness of ginger on morning
sickness symptoms with age and dietary habits of the pregnant women.
To compare the effectiveness of ginger on morning sickness symptoms
in working and nonworking pregnant women.
To determine the fetotoxic effects of ginger.

13. Another example of general and specific objectives:
Research statement: A study on the development of
'socioeconomic scale' for a community residing in Dadu Majra
Colony, Chandigarh.
General objective:
To develop a 'socioeconomic scale' for a community residing in
Dadu Majra Colony, Chandigarh.
Specific objectives:
To select, pool, and validate items to measure socioeconomic
status.
To frame and validate preliminary 'socioeconomic scale’.
To develop and validate the guidelines to use the 'socioeconomic
scale’.
To study the feasibility and reliability of 'socioeconomic scale' as
per the guidelines
To present the 'socioeconomic scale'.