This document discusses research objectives and how to write them. It begins by defining what a research objective is and its purpose. It then describes the characteristics of a good research objective, such as being specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. The document outlines the different types of research objectives, including general and specific objectives. It provides examples of how to write general and specific objectives for a research study. Finally, it discusses the need for research objectives and provides guidelines for how to state objectives clearly and concisely.

1. UNIT-3 (B):
Ms. Chanda Jabeen
Lecturer
RN, RM, BSN
M.Phil. Epidemiology & Public Health
PhD (Scholar) Epidemiology & Public Health
1

2. OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this unit learners will be able
to:
 Develop objectives of research
 Discuss the research purpose
 Explain characteristics of research objectives
 Discuss types of research objectives
 Describe methods of stating research objectives
2

3. INTRODUCTION
 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.
3

4. MEANING
 „A research objective is a clear, concise,
declarative statement, which provides direction to
investigate the variables.‟
 Generally research objective focus on the ways to
measure the variables , such as to identify or
describe them.
 Sometime objectives are directed towards
identifying the relationship or difference between
two variables.
4

5. COUNT…
 Research objective 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.
 Objective should be closely related to the
statement of the problem.
5

6. 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.
 Research objective 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.
6

7. COUNT…
 The objective or research project summarizes
what is to be achieved by the study.
 The research objectives are the specific
accomplishment the researchers hopes to achieve
by the study.
 The objective include obtaining answers to
research questions or testing the research
hypothesis.
7

8. NEED OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The formulation of research objectives will help
researcher to
Focus: With clearly defined objectives, the
researchers can focus on the study
Avoid : The formulation of research objectives
helps the researcher avoid the collection of data
which are not strictly necessary for understanding
& solving problem that he or she has defined.
8

9. COUNT…
Organize :The formulation of objectives organize
the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
Direction: Properly formulated, specific objectives
will facilitate the development of research
methodology & will help to orient the collection,
analysis, interpretation, & utilization of data.
9

10. TYPES OF RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. General objective
 General objectives are broad goals to be
achieved.
 The general objectives of the study state what
the researcher expects to achieve by the study in
general terms.
 General objectives are usually less in number.
10

11. COUNT…
2. Specific objective
 Specific objectives are short term & narrow in focus.
 General objectives can broken into small logically
connected parts to form specific objectives.
 General objective is met through accomplishing all the
specific objective.
 The specific objectives are more in number & they
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 should specify what the researcher will do in the
study, where, & for what purpose.
11

12. EXAMPLES OF GENERAL & 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 Lahore”.
General objective: To asses the knowledge of staff nurses
working in psychiatric unit regarding physical restraint.
Specific objective:
 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.
12

13. METHODS OF STATING OBJECTIVES
While stating objectives of the study, the following
guidelines must be taken care of:
 The objectives should be presented briefly &
concisely.
 They cover the different aspects of the problem & its
contributing factors in a coherent way & in a logical
sequence.
 The objectives are clearly phrased in operational
terms, specifying exactly what researcher is going to
do, where, & for what purpose.
 They are realistic considering local conditions.
 Use action verbs that are specify enough to be
evaluated.
13

14. COUNT…
 Examples of action verbs are: to assess, to
identify, to find out, to determine, to compare, to
find, to verify, to calculate, to describe, to
analyse, to establish, etc.
14

15. STATEMENTS OF PURPOSE
 The research goal is often written as a
statement of purpose
 It is usually easy to identify because the
word “purpose” is clearly stated- “the purpose
of this study was ….”
 gives the general direction of the study
which is stated in 1-2 sentences
15

16. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE –CONT..
Quantitative studies – it will
 identify the key study variables
 their possible relations;
 the population
16

17. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE –CONT..
 Example
Handwashing helps to prevent the spread of nosocomial
infections.
 Is the use of soap and water or alcohol-based rubs
more effective in preventing these infections?
 Identify the independent, dependent variables and the
population
 State the purpose of the study
17

18. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE –CONT..
Qualitative studies –
 indicates the nature of the inquiry,
 the key concept or phenomenon,
 the group, community or setting under study
 Example: The purpose of this study was to describe
satisfactory and unsatisfactory experiences of
postpartum nursing car from the perspective of
adolescent mothers.
18

19. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE –CONT..
 The use of verbs are important
 Can often tell the type of study used to solve
the problem
 Explore, Describe, Test
 Evaluate, Examine relationship
 Understand etc.
19

20. REFERENCES
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing
research: Generating and Assessing
Evidence for Nursing Practice (10th ed.).
Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Grove, S. K., Gray, R.J.,& Burns,
N.(2015).Understanding Nursing research
building an evidence- based
practice(6thed.).St. Louis: Elsevier Health
Sciences.
20