RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS
HYPOTHESIS
OBJECTIVES
Definition
Objectives can broadly be defined as a general
statement which attempts to give both shape and
direction to set of more detailed intentions for the
future .
( Davis,1999 )
Objectives is defined as a broad general
statement of goal direction which contains a
references to the worthwhile ness of achieving it.
( Shankaranarayanan ,2000)
Types
According to Guilbert objectives are
classified into three types
General objectives
It corresponding to the functions of the research after
completion of the study

Intermediate objectives
are arrived at by breaking down the professional
functions into component activities which together
indicate the nature of those functions

Specific objectives
corresponding are derived from precise professional
tasks whose results are observable and measurable
against given criteria
Research objectives

Are specific objective clear,

concise,declarative statement expressed in
the present tense and measurable through
statistical method
Common terms used and their uses

objectives uses
To identify : For identification of variables
under the study
To describe : For description of variables
under the study
To determine: For find out the difference
between the variables
To compare To fine rational between
To associate the variables
 Variables
Definition
Variables are qualities, properties characteristics of
persons , things or situations that change or vary (Rose
Marie,1998)
Types of variables
Dependent variables or out come variables that is
observed for changes to assess the possible
effect of the treatment or manipulation
Independent variables or experimental variable. It
is presumped ‘cause’ from some ‘effect’ on the
dependent variable
 Example: A study to assess the
effectiveness of structured pre operative
teaching in preventing selected post operative
complications in patients undergoing
major abdominal surgery in selected hospital
at Salem.

Structured pre operative Selected post operative

teaching complications

Cause(I.V) Effect (D.V)

 Extraneous variables or intervening or confounding
variable are uncontrolled variables that influence
the findings of the study
E.g. Biological variables- age, sex , education
Environmental variables – climate , weather .

In this example patient age , previous health

status,types of surgery etc.may all effect the
occurrence of post operative complications.
Operational definition

Term should be defined both conceptually and operationally

Conceptual definition:- Presents an overall meaning of a word

and it may be a dictionary definition or may derived from a
theory .

Operational definition :- Is a explanations of concepts or

variables interms of how they are defined for a particular study.
(Talbot.L.A,1999)
 Purpose

Make the concepts of the study

empirically testable
Link the study variables to study frame
work
Specify the activities necessary to
measure the concepts.
Steps  

1. Review the literature to identify uses of

the concept in previous research studies.

2. Writeout what the variables in relation to

the purpose of the study and theoretical
framework.
3) Determine what type of research design
will best answer the overall research
question, i.e. explanatory, descriptive,
predictive.
4) Ascertain the degree of precision needed to
quantify and qualify the variables of interest.

5) Write the operational definition, Be sure to

operationally define all of the major variables
in the research question or hypothesis.
 Hypothesis

Definition

A hypothesis is the formal statement of

the expected relationship or relationships
between two or more variables in a specified
population.
(Nancy Burns,2005)
 Functions

1. Narrow the field of research to one or two

elements.
2. It identifies, the measurable terms,what the
research beliefs to be the cause
and effects of a
given situation.
3. It provides data that are specific.
4. Directs the measurement of variables,
the method of data collection and
statistical analysis.
5. Helps the researcher to select the study
design.
6. Testing hypothesis is a means of
generating knowledge
Sources

1. May be based on the researchers hunch.

2. It can be based on observation of some

phenomenon.

3. It can be a restatement of a hypothesis that

has been previously tested.

4. It can be generated from theories.

Elements or characteristics of a workable
hypothesis

The elements of hypothesis are

Independent variable
Dependent variable
Relationship
Population
Level of significance
Direction
Example: Mean post test knowledge of staff nurses who received
structured teaching programme on wound assessment will be
significantly higher than their mean pretest knowledge score of
0.05 level of significance.

Independent variable -STP on wound assessment

Dependent variable - Knowledge
Relationship - Those received when compared to
those not received STP.
Population - Staff nurses
Direction - Positive
Level of significance - 0.05 level ( probability )
Types of hypothesis

A . Simple versus complex

Simple hypotheses: As hypotheses that express an

expected relationship between
one independent and one dependent variable
1. Example :A person’s weight is affected
` simultaneously by such factors as the
height,diet,bone structure and
metabolism

Dependent variable -weight

Independent variable -person caloric intake .
Complex hypotheses: Refers to a prediction of relationship
between two (or more) dependent
variables and /or two (or
more ) independent
variables

2.Example: Taller people X1 and people with higher caloric

intake X2 will weigh more (Y) than shorter
people and people with lower caloric
intake.

3.Example: Smoking and the consumption of alcohol during

pregnancy might lead to lower birth weights
and lower Apgar scores in infants

4.Example: Cigarette smoking (I.V-X) can lead to both lung

cancer Y1 and coronary disorders Y2.
 B. Directional versus Non directional

Directional hypothesis is one that specifies the expected

direction of the relationship between variables.

Example: Person peting a dog with whom they have a companion

bond will experience a reduction in heart rate and B.P
than peting an unknown dog.

Non directional hypothesis states that a relationship exists,

but does not predict the exact nature
of the relationship.

Example: There will be a difference between mean pretest

knowledge scores and mean post knowledge scores of
staff nurses who received STP at 0.05 level of
significance
C. Null hypothesis

1. It is referred as a statistical hypothesis or research

hypothesis.

2.I t is used for the purpose of statistical testing and interpreting

statistical Outcome.

3. It can be a simple or complex or associative or casual.

4. It states that there is no difference between the variables.

Example: : The mean post test knowledge scores of
antenatal mothers who received STP will not be
significantly higher than mean pre test knowledge
score at 0.05 level of significance.

Ho: There will be no difference between mean pretest

knowledge score and mean post test knowledge score
of antenatal mother who received STP.

Testing hypothesis
The hypothesis that states a casual relationship is analysed
by using inferential statistics.