Research objectives

 The final part of clarifying your research project involves thinking in more detail about your research objectives. Research objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem and summaries what you hope will be achieved by the study. For example, if the problem identified is low utilisation of antenatal care services, the general objective of the study could be to identify the reasons for this low uptake, in order to find ways of improving it.

Writing your research objectives clearly helps to:

·       Define the focus of your study

·       Clearly identify variables to be measured

·       Indicate the various steps to be involved

·       Establish the limits of the study

·       Avoid collection of any data that is not strictly necessary.

 

Objectives can be general or specific. The general objective of your study states what you expect to achieve in general terms. Specific objectives break down the general objective into smaller, logically connected parts that systematically address the various aspects of the problem. Your specific objectives should specify exactly what you will do in each phase of your study, how, where, when and for what purpose.

OpenLearn. (2017). Research objectives. Health Management, Ethics and Research Module: 13. https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=231&section=8.6.2

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