This document discusses the importance of formulating clear research objectives. It explains that objectives should focus the study, guide the methodology, and avoid irrelevant data collection. Objectives should be closely related to the problem statement and research question. General objectives state what the study aims to achieve overall, while specific objectives break this down into discrete tasks. Objectives should follow the SMART criteria by being specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. Hypotheses can also be developed to test explanations for problems. Finally, the document provides guidance on writing a clear title aligned with objectives.

1. Research Methodology
3. FORMULATION OF RESEARCH
OBJECTIVES

3. "Objectives summarize what is to
be achieved by the study"

4. Why?
 To focus the study:
 narrowing it down to essentials
 To avoid collection of data that are not
strictly related to the objectives
 To organize the study in clearly defined
parts or phases

5. Why?
 Properly formulated objectives will:
 facilitate the development of your
research methodology
 will help to guide the:
collection,
analysis,
interpretation and
utilisation of data

6. Objectives and problem statement
 Objectives should be closely related to
the statement of the problem and
research question
 If the problem is “low utilization of
immunization services”:
 the objective of the study could be
“to identify the reasons for low
utilization, in order to find solutions”.

7. Types of Objectives
 General (ultimate) objective
 Specific (immediate) objectives

8. General objective
 What is expected to achieved by the
study, e.g.:
To identify the reasons for low vaccination
coverage in district "A" and to find solutions

9. Specific objectives
 Break down the general objective and
specify what you will do in your study,
where, and why e.g.:
 Quantifying the problem
 Distribution of the problem
 The reasons behind the problem
 How the results will be used:
 especially for HSR

10. Specific objectives
 Quantifying the problem: e.g.
To determine the level of vaccination
coverage in district "A" over the year
2017 as compared to the target
 Distribution of the problem: e.g.
Identify whether there are variations
in vaccination coverage related to rural
vs. urban, type of clinic etc.

11. Specific objectives
 The reasons behind the problem: e.g.
- To establish the reasons for low coverage as
seen by the clients, Health Worker, and
Community leaders e.g.
- distance between the home and clinic, availability
of refrigerator, acceptability of the service etc.
- the socioeconomic and cultural factors that may
influence the utilization of the service

12. Specific objectives
 How the results will be used: e.g.
- Make recommendation to all parties
concerned ( EPI' DG, Area DG, health staff and
mothers) concerning what the changes should
be made to improve coverage
- Work with all parties concerned to develop a
plan for implementing the recommendations

13. Objectives
SMART

14. Specific
 What exactly are we going to do and
for whom?
 Clear about:
what,
where,
When

15. Measurable
 Is it quantifiable?
 Can we measure it?
 How will we know we’ve achieved it?

16. Achievable
 Can we get it done in:
the proposed time frame
with the resources and support
available

17. Realistic/Relevant
 Why are we doing this?
 Is it really what we want?
 Able to obtain the level of change
reflected in the objective

18. Time bound
 Stating the time period in which the
objectives will be accomplished.

19. How should you state your objectives?
 Cover the different aspects of the
problem and its contributing factors in:
 a coherent way
 in a logical sequence

20. How should you state your objectives?
 Are clearly phrased in operational terms:
 specifying exactly:
what you are going to do
where
for what purpose

21. How should you state your objectives?
 Are not statement of the methods:
 To carry out a survey… 
 To compare treatments… 

22. How should you state your objectives?
 To determine
 To measure
 To identify
 To calculate
 To evaluate
 To assess
 To establish
 Determine
 Measure
 Identify
 Calculate
 Evaluate
 Assess
 Establish
 Use action verbs that are specific enough
to be evaluated:
OR

23. How should you state your objectives?
 Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs
e.g. to understand, to study, to know
 The research objectives should not be too
many or too ambitious
 When the study is evaluated, the results
will be compared to the objectives
 If the objectives have not been spelled
out clearly, the study cannot be evaluated

24. HYPOTHESES
 It might be possible, in addition to objectives, to
develop explanation (hypothesis) for the
problem that can be tested
 Hypothesis is a prediction of a relationship
between one or more factors and the problem
under study that can be tested e.g.
 Vaccination coverage is lowest among non
educated mothers who does not know its
importance
 Vaccination coverage is lowest in the clinics
which has irregular supply with vaccine

25. Research question
 A hypothesis can be stated as a research
question e.g.:
“Is the vaccination coverage differ
according to educational status?”
“Is the vaccination coverage differ from
urban to rural areas?”

26. TITLE OF THE STUDY
 The title should be in line with your
general objective
 Make sure that it is specific enough to
tell the reader what your study is about
and where it will be calculated
 Not “Study of vaccination coverage”
 But “A study of the reasons for low
vaccination coverage in Area "A" , 2014”

27. TITLE OF THE STUDY
 You might also consider fancier titles:
 ‘Why children are not immunized ? A study
of the reasons for low vaccination coverage
in governorate “A”, 2014”
 ‘Do We Care? A study on cost and quality of
counselling for HIV/AIDS patients in Yemen’
 ‘WORKSHOPS: Blessings or Burdens? A
study of the workshops held in 1999 in
Province Y - Their utility and consequences
for daily working activities of health staff’

28.  According to what you have learnt
about formulation of objectives:
1. Write for your study:
a. general and
b. specific objectives
1. Think about:
Hypothesis/Research question
3. Write a title for your proposed study
Now it is your turn!
for your study

29. Good luck