Chapter Four

Formulation of Research
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes

•After completing this chapter, the student

should be able to:
•1. Describe the need for the development of
research aims and objectives
•2. Differentiate between General and
Specific objectives
•3. Formulate Specific Objectives
Introduction
• Formulation of the aims and objectives is one of
the most important aspects of research.
• The objectives provide an accurate description of
the specific actions to be taken in order to reach
this aim.
• Objectives must always be set after having
formulated a good research question or topic.
• Aims and Objectives will establish the scope,
depth and direction of the research.
• It will also give the research focus and reader
clarity,
Definition
• Aims indicate what is to be achieved,
• A research aim describes the main goal or the principal
purpose of the research project.
• Usually formulated as a broad statement of the main
goal of the research, a single sentence to a short
paragraph.
• It describes why the research is needed (i.e. the
context),
• What it sets out to accomplish (the actual aim)
Definition

• Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably

achieved within the expected timeframe and with the
available resources.
• A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative
statement, which provides direction to investigate the
variables under the study.
• It indicates how the research aim will be achieved by
dividing the research aim into several smaller parts.
Characteristics
• A well known objective should be SMART:
• S – SPECIFIC
• M – MEASURABLE.
• A – ATTAINABLE.
• R – REALISTIC.
• T – TIME BOUND
• The objectives of the research should be clear, concise,
attainable, measurable, and quantifiable
Purpose of research objectives
• It helps to focus the study (narrowing down the study to
its essentials)
• Clearly identify variables to be measured
• To avoid unnecessary accumulation of data or findings,
which otherwise lead to wastage of resources.
• Aids in the formulation of hypothesis
• It drives all aspects of the methodology, including
instrument design, data collection, analysis, and
ultimately the recommendations
 Research Verbs to Use in Aims and
Objectives
Understan Applying Analyzing Synthesizi Evaluating
ding ng
Review Interpret Analyze Propose Appraise
Identify Apply Compare Design Evaluate
Explore Demonstrate Inspect Formulate Compare
Discover Establish Examine Collect Assess
Discuss Determine Verify Construct Recommend
Summarize Estimate Select Prepare Conclude
Describe Calculate Test Undertake Select
Relate Arrange Assemble
Difference Between Aims and
Objectives
Aims Objectives
• focus on what the research • focus on how the aim will be
project is intended to achieve achieved
• relatively broad • specific.
• focus on a project’s long-term • focus on its immediate, short-
outcomes; term outcomes.
Types

• .

• General objectives are broad goals to be achieved.

• It states much in a broader statement what the researcher
expects to achieve over all by the study in general terms.
• General objectives are broken into small logically connected
parts to form specific objectives.

• .
Types

• .Specific objectives are detailed objectives that describe

what will be researched during the study.
• Specific objectives break down the general objective into
smaller, logically connected parts to systematically address
the various aspects of the problem.
• They are short term and narrow in focus, specifying what,
where and for what purpose the study is done.
Example 1
• Research statement: “Effectiveness of planned teaching on the
knowledge of staff nurses working in psychiatric unit regarding
Physical Restraints for psychiatric patient in selected hospitals in
Ghana”.
• 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 demographics
 Developing Research Objectives

• Important guidelines that should be observed when

developing research objectives are:
1. Should be presented briefly and concisely
2. Should be presented in a logical sequence
3. Should be realistic (e.g., achieved within the expected
timeframe, achieved within the available resources)
 Developing Research Objectives
• 4. Be phrased in operational terms (i.e., specifying exactly
what the researcher is going to do, where and for what
purpose)
5. State using action verbs that are specific enough to be
evaluated or measured (e.g., assess, determine, compare,
verify, calculate, describe, identify, find out, analyze, establish)
Forms of stating a Research Objective

Research
Objective

Question Hypothesis

Declarative interrogative
Forms of stating a Research Objective
• As a Questions - it may be categorized in multiple ways
• Trochim (2006)
• 1. Descriptive - (What is occurring? What exists?)
• 2. Relational (What is the association between two or more
variables?)
• 3. Causal (Does a treatment, program, policy, etc., affect one or more
outcomes?).
Forms of stating a Research Objective
• Blaike (2000)

• can be classified as inquiries about “what,” “why,” or “how.”

• “what” questions describe presence, magnitude, and variations of

characteristics in individuals

• “why” questions ask about causes of, or reasons for, the existence of
phenomena, explanations about relationships between events,

• “how” questions deal with methods for bringing about desired changes
in outcomes via intervention
Forms of stating a Research Objective
• The objectives of this study are to answer the following questions……..

• - Interrogative research question identifies the information needed in

question form: for example ‘What are the reasons for increased risk of
hospital admission among patients with asthma?’

• What influenza virus was most dominant in 2010?

• How many cases of breast cancer that were identified in Kumasi, occurred
in Accra?

• Is AIDS in Africa still considered to be an epidemic

Forms of stating a Research Objective
• - Declarative research question identifies the information
needed as a statement: for example ‘The purpose of this
research is to explore reasons for increased risk of hospital
admission among patients with asthma.
• As a Hypothesis - Cultural attitudes to asthma has no effect
on hospital admissions.
• Easy assessment of primary healthcare does not influence
hospital admissions
Exercise 1
• Question 1.
• GENERAL OBJECTIVE : “ An experimental study on the effects of poverty on
education among selected cities in Ghana”.
• State three (3) specific objectives out of the general objective stated.

• Question 2
• Problem Formulation: "Is the level of knowledge on recommended
nutritional practices related to the nutritional status of pregnant women
attending antenatal care in Greater Accra Region?”
• State the general objective .
• Question : State three (3) specific objectives out of the general objective
stated.
References
• Kumar, Ranjit, Research Methodology, Sage Publications, New Delhi,
2000, Pp-8-10
• www.drjayeshpatidar.blogspot.com
• Saunders, Mark NK, et al. Research methods for business students ,
5/e. Pearson Education India, 2011. Pearson