The document outlines the importance and characteristics of research objectives, including their formulation and types. It emphasizes that well-defined objectives help focus the study, organize research phases, and facilitate data analysis. Specific objectives should be measurable, logically connected, and stated in operational terms using appropriate action verbs.

1. Research Objective
Moges T(BSCN,MPH)

2. At the end of the session the students will able
to:
Meaning and importance of objective
Characteristics of objective
Reasons to have objectives
Types of objectives

14. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
14
Why should research objectives be
developed?
The formulation of objectives will help to:
o Focus the study
o Avoid the collection of unnecessary data
o Organize the study in clearly defined phases
o Helps for evaluating the project
 Properly formulated objectives will facilitate the
development of research methods and will help to
orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and
utilization of data

15. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
15
How should you state your objectives?
Take care that the objectives of the study:
o Cover the different aspects of the problem and
contributing factors in a coherent way with a logical
sequence
o Are clearly phrased in operational terms
o Are feasible and realistic considering local
resources
o Are phrased to clearly meet the purpose of the
study

16. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
16
Research objectives should be:
o simple (not complex)
o specific (not vague)
o stated in advance (not after the research is
done)
o stated using “action verbs” that are specific
enough to be measured

17. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
17
Characteristics of good objectives
o Logical and coherent
o Feasible
o Realistic, considering local conditions
o Defined in operational terms that can be
measured
o Phrased to clearly meet the purpose of the
study

18. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
18
Type of research objectives…
o Research objectives are classified into general
objective and specific objectives
o It is important to ascertain that the general
objective is closely related to the statement of the
problem.

19. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
19
General objective
The general objective of research is what is to be
accomplished by the research project.
General statements specifying the desired outcomes of the
proposed research project.
o It should be clearly related to the statement of the
problem.
o It indicates what exactly will be studied.
o It summarizes what is to be achieved by the study.

20. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
20
Specific objectives
o It the specific aims of the research project
o It indicates measurable statements on the specific
questions to be answered
o It relates to the specific research questions
o The first specific objective usually focuses on quantifying
magnitude of the problem
o It indicates the variable to be examined and measured

21. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
21
Specific objectives…
o Are logically connected parts of the general objective
o There should be logical sequence of the specific
objectives
o It is recommended that not to have more than three
specific objectives in academic research
o Use action verbs specific enough to be measured

22. 23/09/2024 By Sindew Mahmud (BSc , MSc Assi
s professor)
22
Specific objectives…
 Use operational action verbs such as:
oTo verify
oTo assess
oTo establish
oTo identify
oTo test
oTo compare etc…
oTo determine
o To describe
oTo calculate
oTo estimate
oTo explore
oTo formulate
 Do not use non-action verbs such as:
oTo appreciate
oTo understand
oTo believe
oTo study
oTo see
oTo show
oTo know etc..