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Writing Effective Research Aims and Objectives

By: Margaret-Anne Houston , Marissa McDonagh Edited by: Margaret-Anne Houston
Product: Sage Research Methods: Business
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
Publication year: 2023
Online pub date: March 21, 2023
Discipline: Business and Management
Methods: Research questions , Writing research , Research design
DOI: https:// doi. org/10.4135/9781529668216
Keywords: fuel poverty , social media Show all Show less
Academic Level: Advanced Undergraduate Online ISBN: 9781529668216 More information Less information

The writing of effective research aims and objectives can cause confusion and concern to new and experienced researchers and learners. This step in your research journey is usually the first written method used to convey your research idea to your tutor. Therefore, aims and objectives should clearly convey your topic, academic foundation, and research design. In order to write effective research aims and objectives, researchers should consider all aspects of their proposed work. For example, the sample(s) to be approached for participation in the primary data collection. Identifying research objectives that are SMART is key to ensuring key aspects of the work are considered prior to any data collection. This includes consideration of access to samples and the ethics of researching the topic and research design. Finally, seeing your work as others will read it, can be an effective evaluation tool to ensure your own research objectives adequately capture and reflect your intended study. Therefore, this guide encourages you to consider common issues with identifying and writing research aims and objectives through consideration of examples.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this guide, readers should be able to:

Identify the meaning and purpose of a research aim within business research
Understand the link between an effective research aim and the wider topic and literature/secondary sources, where appropriate
Understand how to identify and write Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART) Research objectives, research questions, and consideration of research hypothesis
Recognize the link between writing an effective research aim and the research design. Write own research aim and objectives

Introduction

The writing of effective research aims and objectives can cause confusion and concern to new (and experienced!) researchers and learners. Attempting to identify the scope and focus of a project within a few specific statements, can take time and consideration of all aspects of your research design. If you are still unsure of your approach to your topic, or even the boundaries of the topic itself, this uncertainty can make the framing of an effective research aim seem like an uphill task.

However, even if this is your first time trying to convey your research idea within a few concise and precise statements, there are steps to take to ensure your work clearly communicates your meaning to your audience. This how-to-guide draws on examples of business topic research aims and objectives and explores techniques for reviewing their meaning. This active learning approach will enable you to grow confidence in framing and communicating your own research.

The importance of ensuring the research aim and objectives are not only reflective of the topic choice but are also achievable can be a fluid process, which in itself, can result in anxious researchers. Seeing your work as others will read it, can be an effective evaluation tool to ensure your own research objectives adequately capture and reflect your intended study. Therefore, this guide encourages you to consider common issues with identifying and writing research aims and objectives through consideration of examples.

Identify the Meaning and Purpose of a Research Aim with Business Research

Writing an effective research aim is an integral part of the research process. A research aim is a statement of intent. It should communicate your research goal clearly and should provide a focus for your work from the offset. It is important to differentiate between a research aim and the objectives. If a research aim tells the reader what you plan to achieve, then the research objectives should state how you would reach that goal. Often the objectives will provide a road map of the steps you will take in order to meet the research aim. Therefore, a research aim in business-related topics is typically a single sentence or even two, which conveys the overall purpose of the research-the end goal!

The terminology you use when writing your research aim is important. Note the following example aims from Business related topics:

1. This research aims to evaluate the lasting effects of lockdown and ‘work from home’ initiatives on productiveness in the financial service industry.
2. This research aims to establish a link between innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and recruitment processes for The Royal Bank of Scotland.
3. This research aims to investigate to what extent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives can influence consumer behavior. A case study of Aldi UK.
4. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of technology companies’ risk management of cyber and information risks measured on the basis of supply chain resilience.
5. This research aims to explore the impact of Government funded initiatives to encourage social entrepreneurship in Scotland.

As evidenced above all of the aims stated contain verbs, these highlight how the research will be undertaken. Words such as to assess, to establish, to explore or to evaluate all reflect research analysis. This conveys your intention clearly to the reader and whilst it may not fully demonstrate exactly how the project will be undertaken, the verbs show what the goal is.

The objectives, which follow the aim, can help to show the exact ways the aim will be achieved, highlighting the research methods. It is important to think carefully about whether you plan to or will be to, come to a clear conclusion. Often it is not possible and this can be due to many factors such as the time or scope of the issue. For example, in the aims stated above number 2 is the only one that states it will ‘establish a link.’ This is because the aim is specific and measurable. The objectives should identify the specific processes it will examine and link to effective recruitment practices that are more effective than prior to AI being used.

However, for the other aims it is more appropriate to explore or investigate the topics, as opposed to ‘establishing’ or to ‘evidence an impact.’

Abbreviations are a useful way of shortening words or phrases and they can give writing a more coherent flow. It is worth noting that all abbreviations like AI or CSR should only be used when they are spelled out initially and if they appear frequently throughout your writing.

It is important to always check with your supervisor or course Handbook but typically, you should have a research question, a research aim, and objectives. The research question should capture what the issue is, often it will help to explain your research aim by offering a critical perspective. For example, if your research is to evaluate the effect of something then your question may be to what extent is that something works?

Finally, it is important to remember that the wording of your research aim may change slightly as your research progresses. Often students will modify the words to reflect what they are undertaking as the process develops.

Section Summary

An effective research aim should clearly set out the goal of a project.
Carefully consider the terminology you use at this stage, and ensure it reflects the outcome of the study.
Remember a research aim can be fluid and the exact wording is likely to change as you progress through your research journey.

Understand the Link Between an Effective Research Aim and the Wider Topic and Literature/secondary Sources, Where Appropriate

When developing the research aim it is important to be engaged with the wider topic and associated literature and secondary sources from the offset. These sources will be crucial in helping you to tackle the topic successfully.

Identifying an idea for a research project can sometimes be a relatively simple first step in the research process. It is often narrowing the idea down to a research aim, which can be more difficult. A good way to start is to brainstorm ideas, think about what interests you the most about your studies, and note down keywords which can then be used as search terms. Researchers, at all levels of research and study, should consider information-seeking as a process through which they engage with the primary literature and secondary sources concerning their topic area. This will develop self-confidence in your ability to define the terms of reference of your work and studies. An inquiring mind and openness to a degree of flexibility of approach in these early stages of research, can be key to ensuring initial topic ideas can be molded into achievable research aims and objectives.

Research could be considered to be cyclical, not a one-off process. Therefore, in order to ensure a definable and achievable research topic, many projects use a mixture of sources. This requires a degree of confidence on the part of the researcher; to identify the relevant resources they require, a strategy for how to find them and also, a process for information management.

Many researchers will start with an online search for both academic and non-academic sources. The short-term success of this first step can be dictated by the choice of keywords and phrases. That is, those terms that the researcher believes are most relevant for, and most likely to come up with links to their research topic. However, caution should be employed in this initial task of online searching - this is an important opportunity to consider how we identify these specific keywords. A limited understanding of the area will be enhanced through further reading. It can allow the researcher to access previous studies in the same topic area and identify effective research methods. An informed research aim should be underpinned by reading and evaluating sources in relation to the research idea.

Using the research aims below as examples, note the sources required and some issues to consider for each source. By strategically linking your research aim to the wider area you will ensure your research is robust from the start.

Reading combined with ongoing critical appraisal of associated sources can help to refine and focus your research aim and objectives.
Think of your research as an ongoing process. Reading associated sources should be embedded in every stage of your research journey.
Ensure you are acknowledging the wider research area and associated sources from the offset as this will help to refine and focus your research aim and objectives.

Understanding How to Identify SMART Research Objectives, Research Questions, and Consideration of Research Hypothesis

First-time final year undergraduates are normally expected to identify a research topic and research design that are realistic and achievable. Not only should they be realistic as topics but also achievable within a short time period when most learners have never undertaken such work previously. A common pitfall of many initial research topics is identifying an area that is too wide in scope. A simple step is to consider how to express and convey the work within a series of research objectives. Careful consideration of the content of these statements can help narrow the topic focus, and ensure the research design is relevant to the work to be undertaken. Therefore, writing your objectives should be viewed as a process and not a one-off exercise. Remember, they convey your work to an audience and set out the initial boundaries of the research to be undertaken.

Therefore, research aims and objectives should provide focus and direction for the research topic. Many business research methods texts will introduce the writing of research aims and objectives as a specific skill required to ensure they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely (SMART). By following the SMART guidelines and analyzing examples of common issues within aims and objectives, learners can build confidence and ensure their aims and objectives are strong. Together with these five criteria, the language used can convey the depth of the inquiry. By way of explanation, consider the following topic submitted for consideration as a final-year project:

The research aim is to evaluate consumer perceptions of the impact of social media advertising on their car purchasing decisions. The fieldwork will examine consumer attitudes toward social media advertising and the benefits of this approach. This will be explored through the following research objectives:

1. Examine relevant literature concerning advertising, and trends in social media within the car industry;
2. Identify the attitudes of key players and stakeholders within the advertising industry toward the use of social media;
3. Discuss the effects of new technology on social media and advertising trends;
4. Evaluate how consumers relate to new technology with a view to making recommendations for improvement in the use of social media within online advertising.

S pecific – the research objectives reflect the terminology also used within the research aim.

M easureable – this does not necessarily mean that the work will involve quantitative data. Consider that the objectives identify the issues and samples and so the target of the work.

A chievable – does the work appear to be a piece of research that could be undertaken and completed within the confines of the undergraduate program? It could be achievable on the basis that the work does not appear to require a long time period to complete and the samples should be accessible. Achievability is also a consideration of university ethical consideration processes. For example, although a researcher is able to identify a sample of participants who are experiencing fuel poverty, consideration must be given to the possible ethical issues that surround requesting their participation. It may be deemed that the research could in some manner cause harm to the participants, such as stress through talking about their lived experiences. This stress could also be felt by the researcher who may not be trained to deal with such emotional situations. In both of these examples, the university ethics process could decide this work is unachievable.

R ealistic – the issue of social media advertising is realistic within the stated industry. The samples identified also appear linked to the topic. Furthermore, the academic foundation of the work is also identified – advertising. The work also appears to be realistic in terms of the resources required to complete it. The ethical use of data gathered from social media could also be relevant to determining if this topic is realistic. As with Achievability above, issues such as how the data was originally gathered and how it will then be used by the researcher, would be scrutinized by the Ethics process. Again, the principle of ‘do no harm’ would be applied to determine if the work is realistic.

T imely – although the work does not offer a specific timeframe, the use of social media for advertising is evident within the car industry. Therefore, this could be said to be timely.

Furthermore, the terminology is important. If you choose words that are descriptive, they will convey work that is also descriptive. So, try to use words such as ‘describe,’ ‘understand,’ or ‘gain an insight into’ only where they adequately reflect that your research is not an in-depth study. Consider using terms to evidence how you will approach each objective including: evaluate; critique; critically discuss and examine. All infer the research will go beyond a surface inquiry.

Now, at this stage, consider if the research wished to study the possible relationships between variables such as the impact on consumers of exposure to social media advertising on car sales decision-making. As with the approach to the similar topic above, this could be explored using qualitative data by gathering the experiences of consumers and/or people within the car industry. However, research that specifically wishes to explore possible links between issues and/or specific variables, could sometimes be better framed using a research hypothesis. This is a statement that identifies possible c ause and effect ’ relationships between variables. Therefore, the focus of the above topic could be reconsidered to identify the impact of social media advertising within the car industry. The new research question and hypothesis could be thus:

The research question: Do consumers perceive the impact of social media advertising on their car purchasing decisions?

Null Hypothesis: There is no difference in car purchasing decisions between those consumers who are exposed to social media advertising of cars compared to those who are not.

Alternative Hypothesis: There is a relationship between whether or not a consumer has been exposed to social media advertising and their car purchasing decision.

In order to address the hypothesis, some form of statistical testing would be required which is not covered in this guide. However, as a researcher, you should always consider what it is specifically that you wish to research when framing your work. This topic consideration could identify specific issues and/or variables which you wish to explore further to test if there are statistical relationships. In this situation, you could consider including hypothesis testing within your research design. As can be viewed above, related topics may be presented in different ways, with the inclusion or exclusion of a research hypothesis. The existence of possible relationships may be explored through research that seeks perceptions of advertising. However, research which seeks statistical evidence would be best represented with hypothesis testing.

Research aim and objectives convey to your audience the topic and possible boundaries of your work. Therefore, ensuring they are presented as SMART, allows others to assess your work in the way you intended.
Research ethics should be considered when writing research aims and objectives, including the potential impact of participation on individuals. Research should do no harm to the individuals involved, including the sample and researchers themselves.
Research does not always necessitate consideration of the research hypothesis. However, in some circumstances, a well-considered hypothesis could offer statistical weight to your findings.

Recognizing the Link Between Writing an Effective Research Aim and the Research Design

The research aim and objectives should be written in a way that conveys the specific area or problem to be researched. This should allow anyone reading your research aim to understand the main focus of the work. For example, your work may aim to examine the lived experiences of individuals living with fuel poverty within a specific geographic area or demographic. In this example, you can clearly identify the topic – lived experiences of fuel poverty – and the focus – individuals within the chosen geographical area/demographic . To a more experienced researcher, it can also offer insight into the research design which may be reasonably expected. So, studies of ‘lived experiences’ can involve the gathering and/or analysis of qualitative data from individuals/communities as the researcher seek to gather the first-hand experiences of participants (individuals).

Clearly written research aim and objectives should allow the reader to consider the following information:

1. Wider academic area(s) within which the topic falls (for example, accountancy; marketing; management);
2. The main areas of the literature identified within the aim and/or objectives;
3. The data which would be expected to be gathered to in order to meet/address the research objectives;
4. The data collection methods which could be deemed relevant to the research aim and,
5. Overall, if the research aim and objectives are SMART (see above).

Consider the wording in the example below:

The research aim of this dissertation is to examine the lived experiences of people living with fuel poverty and their attitudes towards support services within a local council area. This research aim will be addressed through the following research objectives:

1. Critically review previous literature and evaluate the origins and purpose of different definitions of ‘fuel poverty.’
2. Explore the attitudes of individuals currently experiencing fuel poverty towards support agencies and other stakeholders.
3. Analyze the opportunities and barriers to support agencies and related stakeholders within a local council area with specific regard to supporting those experiencing fuel poverty.
4. Compare and contrast the lived experiences of individuals experiencing fuel poverty with those of the support agencies to identify potential service gaps.

Looking closely at the work above, it could be reasonable to make the following assumptions about the research:

The academic area(s) within which the topic falls (for example, accountancy; marketing; management; social sciences; economics). This can be researched and explored by keyword searching the research aim. In this example, there appear to be multiple academic roots to the work:

‘lived experiences of people living with fuel poverty’ – this could be viewed as a social science/economics topic or even an engineering area. Either would depend on the specific view taken to investigate fuel poverty, i.e., real-world examples of lived experiences, specially such as narratives about their daily life. Alternatively, this aim could encapsulate studies within engineering areas that seek to understand the impact of construction and design decisions on the daily life of individuals.
‘…and their attitudes towards support services within a local council area’ – by adding a focus for the study as being specific to support services, this work is now narrowed to more reflect the social sciences area.
If the work was indeed to study any issues such as building construction, this would be expected to appear within the research aim to convey the topic clearly and precisely.

Therefore, it could be expected that if the research draws on wider academic areas, this should be evident from the terminology within the research objectives. A consistent use of terminology ensures the academic foundation of the work is identifiable throughout. It could also be reasonably presumed that the relevant issues of each sample (individuals within fuel poverty, the support services, and stakeholders), would be refined to include specific factors to ensure the work is focused on specific issues.

Next, consider the type of data you would expect to gather to in order to meet/address the research objectives. The following options appear to be linked to the wording of the objectives:

Secondary Data: The objectives identify the need for literature in the first stages of work in order to address objectives 1, 2, and 3. As the research is based on lived experiences, this could include not only academic work but also charity and government reports. Given that this is a real-world issue, examples could also be identified from reputable news agencies. All of these sources could help identify possible issues that may be identified by research participants during the data gathering. If these issues are not identified by the participants, they could be used to form a critical discussion around opportunities or barriers (objective 3).
Primary Data: Given the focus on lived experiences related to support services, the research may be presumed to include a qualitative study. A qualitative study would allow participants to use their own voices and language to explain their lived experiences. Whereas a quantitative study, by its nature, could explore the issues already known to the researcher when the instrument was written, e.g., survey. Qualitative data could perhaps encourage more personal issues to be identified by the individual participants, and also offer some context for their position.

Subsequently, consider which data collection methods you would expect to be used to address the research aim.

Quantitative data gathering tools: Could quantitative data gathering explore the lived experiences of this sample? Many areas could be effectively explored however lived experiences tend to be personal to the individual and so qualitative could offer more depth and richness to the data.
As both the research aim and objectives identify specific samples, the research could be considered to have a boundary around those to be invited to participate. Therefore, secondary data may identify the definitions of fuel poverty and offer reasons for any differences. It could also allow the identification of the roles and remits of support services and stakeholders. However, it will not offer specific lived experience details that can come from the sample of individuals.

If specific organizational sectors or companies were identified, the use of quantitative data-gathering tools, such as a survey, may allow more specific information to be gathered. Remember, the research aim identifies that the focus is the individuals who experience fuel poverty. Therefore, a survey could address issues such as knowledge and understanding of these service providers. However, it could then miss hearing about the informal networks used by individuals for support, which could come to light during a qualitative study.

Finally, if in doubt, show your research aim and objectives to a colleague and ask them to tell you , what they think your research is about. This simple exercise will enable you to realize what other people understand from your work and so, allow you to tweak where necessary. This should ensure your research is not only accessible to different audiences but ultimately, is a fair reflection of your topic choice.

Clearly written research aims and objectives can effectively convey information about your work. This allows a reader to consider the key aspects of your topic and sets expectations about the contents of your report/dissertation/thesis.
Always ensure that the language used to write a research aim and objectives, adequately convey the meaning and depth of your research. It should be specific to your topic but also accessible to the intended audience(s).
SMART research objectives can convey your understanding of research design. This should be apparent from the layering of issues and identification of relevant samples.

In conclusion, this guide has offered practical steps through example-based exercises to help you format your idea into an effective research aim and objectives. Having progressed through the exercises, you will have considered issues such as the importance of understanding how a research aim can help you refine your idea. It is also the mechanism to convey your research intention to your audience. Through exploring the importance of linking your research aim to the wider research area this will give you the confidence to develop SMART objectives. Following this, your work will reflect key areas of your research design through the use of relevant research methods terminology.

Therefore, by following the steps in this guide you should now be confident to take your idea and form it into robust research aims and objectives.

Multiple-Choice Quiz Questions

1. The purpose of a research aim is to ______.

Incorrect Answer

Feedback: This is not the correct answer. The correct answer is C.

Correct Answer

Feedback: Well done, correct answer

2. It is important to understand the link between the research aim and the wider topic because ______.

Feedback: This is not the correct answer. The correct answer is B.

3. How many research objectives are necessary to ensure a successful final-year project?

4. Research objectives reflect ______

5. Research design can be reflected in the research aim and objectives by ______.

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Home » Research Objectives – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Research Objectives – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Research Objectives

Research objectives refer to the specific goals or aims of a research study. They provide a clear and concise description of what the researcher hopes to achieve by conducting the research . The objectives are typically based on the research questions and hypotheses formulated at the beginning of the study and are used to guide the research process.

Types of Research Objectives

Here are the different types of research objectives in research:

Exploratory Objectives: These objectives are used to explore a topic, issue, or phenomenon that has not been studied in-depth before. The aim of exploratory research is to gain a better understanding of the subject matter and generate new ideas and hypotheses .
Descriptive Objectives: These objectives aim to describe the characteristics, features, or attributes of a particular population, group, or phenomenon. Descriptive research answers the “what” questions and provides a snapshot of the subject matter.
Explanatory Objectives : These objectives aim to explain the relationships between variables or factors. Explanatory research seeks to identify the cause-and-effect relationships between different phenomena.
Predictive Objectives: These objectives aim to predict future events or outcomes based on existing data or trends. Predictive research uses statistical models to forecast future trends or outcomes.
Evaluative Objectives : These objectives aim to evaluate the effectiveness or impact of a program, intervention, or policy. Evaluative research seeks to assess the outcomes or results of a particular intervention or program.
Prescriptive Objectives: These objectives aim to provide recommendations or solutions to a particular problem or issue. Prescriptive research identifies the best course of action based on the results of the study.
Diagnostic Objectives : These objectives aim to identify the causes or factors contributing to a particular problem or issue. Diagnostic research seeks to uncover the underlying reasons for a particular phenomenon.
Comparative Objectives: These objectives aim to compare two or more groups, populations, or phenomena to identify similarities and differences. Comparative research is used to determine which group or approach is more effective or has better outcomes.
Historical Objectives: These objectives aim to examine past events, trends, or phenomena to gain a better understanding of their significance and impact. Historical research uses archival data, documents, and records to study past events.
Ethnographic Objectives : These objectives aim to understand the culture, beliefs, and practices of a particular group or community. Ethnographic research involves immersive fieldwork and observation to gain an insider’s perspective of the group being studied.
Action-oriented Objectives: These objectives aim to bring about social or organizational change. Action-oriented research seeks to identify practical solutions to social problems and to promote positive change in society.
Conceptual Objectives: These objectives aim to develop new theories, models, or frameworks to explain a particular phenomenon or set of phenomena. Conceptual research seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the subject matter by developing new theoretical perspectives.
Methodological Objectives: These objectives aim to develop and improve research methods and techniques. Methodological research seeks to advance the field of research by improving the validity, reliability, and accuracy of research methods and tools.
Theoretical Objectives : These objectives aim to test and refine existing theories or to develop new theoretical perspectives. Theoretical research seeks to advance the field of knowledge by testing and refining existing theories or by developing new theoretical frameworks.
Measurement Objectives : These objectives aim to develop and validate measurement instruments, such as surveys, questionnaires, and tests. Measurement research seeks to improve the quality and reliability of data collection and analysis by developing and testing new measurement tools.
Design Objectives : These objectives aim to develop and refine research designs, such as experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational designs. Design research seeks to improve the quality and validity of research by developing and testing new research designs.
Sampling Objectives: These objectives aim to develop and refine sampling techniques, such as probability and non-probability sampling methods. Sampling research seeks to improve the representativeness and generalizability of research findings by developing and testing new sampling techniques.

How to Write Research Objectives

Writing clear and concise research objectives is an important part of any research project, as it helps to guide the study and ensure that it is focused and relevant. Here are some steps to follow when writing research objectives:

Identify the research problem : Before you can write research objectives, you need to identify the research problem you are trying to address. This should be a clear and specific problem that can be addressed through research.
Define the research questions : Based on the research problem, define the research questions you want to answer. These questions should be specific and should guide the research process.
Identify the variables : Identify the key variables that you will be studying in your research. These are the factors that you will be measuring, manipulating, or analyzing to answer your research questions.
Write specific objectives: Write specific, measurable objectives that will help you answer your research questions. These objectives should be clear and concise and should indicate what you hope to achieve through your research.
Use the SMART criteria: To ensure that your research objectives are well-defined and achievable, use the SMART criteria. This means that your objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Revise and refine: Once you have written your research objectives, revise and refine them to ensure that they are clear, concise, and achievable. Make sure that they align with your research questions and variables, and that they will help you answer your research problem.

Example of Research Objectives

Examples of research objectives Could be:

Research Objectives for the topic of “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Employment”:

To investigate the effects of the adoption of AI on employment trends across various industries and occupations.
To explore the potential for AI to create new job opportunities and transform existing roles in the workforce.
To examine the social and economic implications of the widespread use of AI for employment, including issues such as income inequality and access to education and training.
To identify the skills and competencies that will be required for individuals to thrive in an AI-driven workplace, and to explore the role of education and training in developing these skills.
To evaluate the ethical and legal considerations surrounding the use of AI for employment, including issues such as bias, privacy, and the responsibility of employers and policymakers to protect workers’ rights.

When to Write Research Objectives

At the beginning of a research project : Research objectives should be identified and written down before starting a research project. This helps to ensure that the project is focused and that data collection and analysis efforts are aligned with the intended purpose of the research.
When refining research questions: Writing research objectives can help to clarify and refine research questions. Objectives provide a more concrete and specific framework for addressing research questions, which can improve the overall quality and direction of a research project.
After conducting a literature review : Conducting a literature review can help to identify gaps in knowledge and areas that require further research. Writing research objectives can help to define and focus the research effort in these areas.
When developing a research proposal: Research objectives are an important component of a research proposal. They help to articulate the purpose and scope of the research, and provide a clear and concise summary of the expected outcomes and contributions of the research.
When seeking funding for research: Funding agencies often require a detailed description of research objectives as part of a funding proposal. Writing clear and specific research objectives can help to demonstrate the significance and potential impact of a research project, and increase the chances of securing funding.
When designing a research study : Research objectives guide the design and implementation of a research study. They help to identify the appropriate research methods, sampling strategies, data collection and analysis techniques, and other relevant aspects of the study design.
When communicating research findings: Research objectives provide a clear and concise summary of the main research questions and outcomes. They are often included in research reports and publications, and can help to ensure that the research findings are communicated effectively and accurately to a wide range of audiences.
When evaluating research outcomes : Research objectives provide a basis for evaluating the success of a research project. They help to measure the degree to which research questions have been answered and the extent to which research outcomes have been achieved.
When conducting research in a team : Writing research objectives can facilitate communication and collaboration within a research team. Objectives provide a shared understanding of the research purpose and goals, and can help to ensure that team members are working towards a common objective.

Purpose of Research Objectives

Some of the main purposes of research objectives include:

To clarify the research question or problem : Research objectives help to define the specific aspects of the research question or problem that the study aims to address. This makes it easier to design a study that is focused and relevant.
To guide the research design: Research objectives help to determine the research design, including the research methods, data collection techniques, and sampling strategy. This ensures that the study is structured and efficient.
To measure progress : Research objectives provide a way to measure progress throughout the research process. They help the researcher to evaluate whether they are on track and meeting their goals.
To communicate the research goals : Research objectives provide a clear and concise description of the research goals. This helps to communicate the purpose of the study to other researchers, stakeholders, and the general public.

Advantages of Research Objectives

Here are some advantages of having well-defined research objectives:

Focus : Research objectives help to focus the research effort on specific areas of inquiry. By identifying clear research questions, the researcher can narrow down the scope of the study and avoid getting sidetracked by irrelevant information.
Clarity : Clearly stated research objectives provide a roadmap for the research study. They provide a clear direction for the research, making it easier for the researcher to stay on track and achieve their goals.
Measurability : Well-defined research objectives provide measurable outcomes that can be used to evaluate the success of the research project. This helps to ensure that the research is effective and that the research goals are achieved.
Feasibility : Research objectives help to ensure that the research project is feasible. By clearly defining the research goals, the researcher can identify the resources required to achieve those goals and determine whether those resources are available.
Relevance : Research objectives help to ensure that the research study is relevant and meaningful. By identifying specific research questions, the researcher can ensure that the study addresses important issues and contributes to the existing body of knowledge.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

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Research Aims and Objectives: The dynamic duo for successful research

Picture yourself on a road trip without a destination in mind — driving aimlessly, not knowing where you’re headed or how to get there. Similarly, your research is navigated by well-defined research aims and objectives. Research aims and objectives are the foundation of any research project. They provide a clear direction and purpose for the study, ensuring that you stay focused and on track throughout the process. They are your trusted navigational tools, leading you to success.

Understanding the relationship between research objectives and aims is crucial to any research project’s success, and we’re here to break it down for you in this article. Here, we’ll explore the importance of research aims and objectives, understand their differences, and delve into the impact they have on the quality of research.

Understanding the Difference between Research Aims and Objectives

In research, aims and objectives are two important components but are often used interchangeably. Though they may sound similar, they are distinct and serve different purposes.

Research Aims:

Research aims are broad statements that describe the overall purpose of your study. They provide a general direction for your study and indicate the intended achievements of your research. Aims are usually written in a general and abstract manner describing the ultimate goal of the research.

Research Objectives:

Research objectives are specific, measurable, and achievable goals that you aim to accomplish within a specified timeframe. They break down the research aims into smaller, more manageable components and provide a clear picture of what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve it.

objectives of research definition slideshare

In the example, the objectives provide specific targets that must be achieved to reach the aim. Essentially, aims provide the overall direction for the research while objectives provide specific targets that must be achieved to accomplish the aims. Aims provide a broad context for the research, while the objectives provide smaller steps that the researcher must take to accomplish the overall research goals. To illustrate, when planning a road trip, your research aim is the destination you want to reach, and your research objectives are the specific routes you need to take to get there.

Aims and objectives are interconnected. Objectives play a key role in defining the research methodology, providing a roadmap for how you’ll collect and analyze data, while aim is the final destination, which represents the ultimate goal of your research. By setting specific goals, you’ll be able to design a research plan that helps you achieve your objectives and, ultimately, your research aim.

Importance of Well-defined Aims and Objectives

The impact of clear research aims and objectives on the quality of research cannot be understated. But it’s not enough to simply have aims and objectives. Well-defined research aims and objectives are important for several reasons:

Provides direction: Clear aims and well-defined objectives provide a specific direction for your research study, ensuring that the research stays focused on a specific topic or problem. This helps to prevent the research from becoming too broad or unfocused, and ensures that the study remains relevant and meaningful.
Guides research design: The research aim and objectives help guide the research design and methodology, ensuring that your study is designed in a way that will answer the research questions and achieve the research objectives.
Helps with resource allocation: Clear research aims and objectives helps you to allocate resources effectively , including time, financial resources, human resources, and other required materials. With a well-defined aim and objectives, you can identify the resources required to conduct the research, and allocate them in a way that maximizes efficiency and productivity.
Assists in evaluation: Clearly specified research aims and objectives allow for effective evaluation of your research project’s success. You can assess whether the research has achieved its objectives, and whether the aim has been met. This evaluation process can help to identify areas of the research project that may require further attention or modification.
Enhances communication: Well-defined research aims and objectives help to enhance communication among the research team, stakeholders, funding agencies, and other interested parties. Clear aims and objectives ensure that everyone involved in your research project understands the purpose and goals of the study. This can help to foster collaboration and ensure that everyone is working towards the same end goal.

How to Formulate Research Aims and Objectives

Formulating effective research aims and objectives involves a systematic process to ensure that they are clear, specific, achievable, and relevant. Start by asking yourself what you want to achieve through your research. What impact do you want your research to have? Once you have a clear understanding of your aims, you can then break them down into specific, achievable objectives. Here are some steps you can follow when developing research aims and objectives:

Identify the research question : Clearly identify the questions you want to answer through your research. This will help you define the scope of your research. Understanding the characteristics of a good research question will help you generate clearer aims and objectives.
Conduct literature review : When defining your research aim and objectives, it’s important to conduct a literature review to identify key concepts, theories, and methods related to your research problem or question. Conducting a thorough literature review can help you understand what research has been done in the area and what gaps exist in the literature.
Identify the research aim: Develop a research aim that summarizes the overarching goal of your research. The research aim should be broad and concise.
Develop research objectives: Based on your research questions and research aim, develop specific research objectives that outline what you intend to achieve through your research. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Use action verbs: Use action verbs such as “investigate,” “examine,” “analyze,” and “compare” to describe your research aims and objectives. This makes them more specific and measurable.
Ensure alignment with research question: Ensure that the research aim and objectives are aligned with the research question. This helps to ensure that the research remains focused and that the objectives are specific enough to answer your research question.
Refine and revise: Once the research aim and objectives have been developed, refine and revise them as needed. Seek feedback from your colleagues, mentors, or supervisors to ensure that they are clear, concise, and achievable within the given resources and timeframe.
Communicate: After finalizing the research aim and objectives, they should be communicated to the research team, stakeholders, and other interested parties. This helps to ensure that everyone is working towards the same end goal and understands the purpose of the study.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid While Formulating Aims and Objectives

There are several common mistakes that researchers can make when writing research aims and objectives. These include:

Being too broad or vague: Aims and objectives that are too general or unclear can lead to confusion and lack of focus. It is important to ensure that the aims and objectives are concise and clear.
Being too narrow or specific: On the other hand, aims and objectives that are too narrow or specific may limit the scope of the research and make it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions or implications.
Being too ambitious: While it is important to aim high, being too ambitious with the aims and objectives can lead to unrealistic expectations and can be difficult to achieve within the constraints of the research project.
Lack of alignment: The aims and objectives should be directly linked to the research questions being investigated. Otherwise, this will lead to a lack of coherence in the research project.
Lack of feasibility: The aims and objectives should be achievable within the constraints of the research project, including time, budget, and resources. Failing to consider feasibility may cause compromise of the research quality.
Failing to consider ethical considerations: The aims and objectives should take into account any ethical considerations, such as ensuring the safety and well-being of study participants.
Failing to involve all stakeholders: It’s important to involve all relevant stakeholders, such as participants, supervisors, and funding agencies, in the development of the aims and objectives to ensure they are appropriate and relevant.

To avoid these common pitfalls, it is important to be specific, clear, relevant, and realistic when writing research aims and objectives. Seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors to ensure that the aims and objectives are aligned with the research problem , questions, and methodology, and are achievable within the constraints of the research project. It’s important to continually refine your aims and objectives as you go. As you progress in your research, it’s not uncommon for research aims and objectives to evolve slightly, but it’s important that they remain consistent with the study conducted and the research topic.

In summary, research aims and objectives are the backbone of any successful research project. They give you the ability to cut through the noise and hone in on what really matters. By setting clear goals and aligning them with your research questions and methodology, you can ensure that your research is relevant, impactful, and of the highest quality. So, before you hit the road on your research journey, make sure you have a clear destination and steps to get there. Let us know in the comments section below the challenges you faced and the strategies you followed while fomulating research aims and objectives! Also, feel free to reach out to us at any stage of your research or publication by using #AskEnago and tagging @EnagoAcademy on Twitter , Facebook , and Quora . Happy researching!

This particular material has added important but overlooked concepts regarding my experiences in explaining research aims and objectives. Thank you

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Formulating Research Aims and Objectives

Formulating research aim and objectives in an appropriate manner is one of the most important aspects of your thesis. This is because research aim and objectives determine the scope, depth and the overall direction of the research. Research question is the central question of the study that has to be answered on the basis of research findings.

Research aim emphasizes what needs to be achieved within the scope of the research, by the end of the research process. Achievement of research aim provides answer to the research question.

Research objectives divide research aim into several parts and address each part separately. Research aim specifies WHAT needs to be studied and research objectives comprise a number of steps that address HOW research aim will be achieved.

As a rule of dumb, there would be one research aim and several research objectives. Achievement of each research objective will lead to the achievement of the research aim.

Consider the following as an example:

Research title: Effects of organizational culture on business profitability: a case study of Virgin Atlantic

Research aim: To assess the effects of Virgin Atlantic organizational culture on business profitability

Following research objectives would facilitate the achievement of this aim:

Analyzing the nature of organizational culture at Virgin Atlantic by September 1, 2022
Identifying factors impacting Virgin Atlantic organizational culture by September 16, 2022
Analyzing impacts of Virgin Atlantic organizational culture on employee performances by September 30, 2022
Providing recommendations to Virgin Atlantic strategic level management in terms of increasing the level of effectiveness of organizational culture by October 5, 2022

Figure below illustrates additional examples in formulating research aims and objectives:

Formulation of research question, aim and objectives

Common mistakes in the formulation of research aim relate to the following:

1. Choosing the topic too broadly . This is the most common mistake. For example, a research title of “an analysis of leadership practices” can be classified as too broad because the title fails to answer the following questions:

a) Which aspects of leadership practices? Leadership has many aspects such as employee motivation, ethical behaviour, strategic planning, change management etc. An attempt to cover all of these aspects of organizational leadership within a single research will result in an unfocused and poor work.

b) An analysis of leadership practices in which country? Leadership practices tend to be different in various countries due to cross-cultural differences, legislations and a range of other region-specific factors. Therefore, a study of leadership practices needs to be country-specific.

c) Analysis of leadership practices in which company or industry? Similar to the point above, analysis of leadership practices needs to take into account industry-specific and/or company-specific differences, and there is no way to conduct a leadership research that relates to all industries and organizations in an equal manner.

Accordingly, as an example “a study into the impacts of ethical behaviour of a leader on the level of employee motivation in US healthcare sector” would be a more appropriate title than simply “An analysis of leadership practices”.

2. Setting an unrealistic aim . Formulation of a research aim that involves in-depth interviews with Apple strategic level management by an undergraduate level student can be specified as a bit over-ambitious. This is because securing an interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook or members of Apple Board of Directors might not be easy. This is an extreme example of course, but you got the idea. Instead, you may aim to interview the manager of your local Apple store and adopt a more feasible strategy to get your dissertation completed.

3. Choosing research methods incompatible with the timeframe available . Conducting interviews with 20 sample group members and collecting primary data through 2 focus groups when only three months left until submission of your dissertation can be very difficult, if not impossible. Accordingly, timeframe available need to be taken into account when formulating research aims and objectives and selecting research methods.

Moreover, research objectives need to be formulated according to SMART principle,

where the abbreviation stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

Examples of SMART research objectives

At the conclusion part of your research project you will need to reflect on the level of achievement of research aims and objectives. In case your research aims and objectives are not fully achieved by the end of the study, you will need to discuss the reasons. These may include initial inappropriate formulation of research aims and objectives, effects of other variables that were not considered at the beginning of the research or changes in some circumstances during the research process.

John Dudovskiy

Research Objectives-Definition; Types; Characteristics; Formulating & Advantages

Formulating research objectives

Relationship between research objectives and research findings, relationship between research findings and areas for further research, advantages of research objectives, disadvantages of research objectives, research objectives; definition; types; characteristics; formulating & advantages, 1.2 introduction.

Research as a creative and systematic way of acquiring new knowledge guides the researcher on how to develop quality specific objectives that will further guide on how the research assignment will be accomplished to arrive at the right and valid research findings.

1.3 Definition;

What is research objective?

Research objective is the goal to be achieved in a research by the researcher. This is the end which justifies the means. In other words, it is the outcome that you as a researcher aim to achieve by conducting research. Singular we talk of objective, if the goals are more than one, they are referred to as objectives or goals. In research, objectives are engulfed in a research objective statement whereby they are expressly or indirectly implied.

Research objective Statement is a reasonably lengthy written expression that contains all the thematic or topical issue(s) justifying the undertaking of a research. For instance, “ This is a case study examining the influence of online training and academic performance of University students in country “Y” between 2019 and 2020 .”

Research Objective Statement is divided in to two levels; namely general and specific statement of research objectives. As the name suggests, each represent the type of research objective it represents.

Types of Research Objectives

There are basically two types of objectives, namely;

General objectives
Specific objectives

1.4 General Objectives

General objectives are goals which have an inherent nature of being of long term. That is they are objectives that are to be achieved in the long-run. That is by the end of the whole process of undertaking the research activities. This is the reason why they are normally stated in a general form. The general objective must summarize and present the central idea of ??the study, and in addition describing its purpose. So, it entails the hypothetical view or the research problem that will be investigated in the study, as well as the definition of the thematic issue.

Example one

To investigate on the factors influencing financial performance of firms listed in X stock exchange market.

“ To Investigate ” and “Factors” is stated in general format for there are many approaches of investigating and many types of factors that may affect financial performance of listed firms.

1.5 Specific Objectives

Specific objectives are in depth and detailed goals of the research that have inherent nature of being achieved in the course of undertaking the research in the short run. These objectives describe what specifically will be achieved during the study as the term suggests.

Therefore, researcher has to pinpoint the specific objectives to be achieved.

Example two

Let us consider a continuation of the aforementioned “example one” above on

“ Investigation on the factors influencing financial performance of firms listed at the X stock exchange

Let us further assume that some of the factors under investigation are;

The specific objective will take the form of being detailed such as;

To Assess the influence of Firm Size on the financial performance of firms listed at X stock exchange market.
To Examine the influence of Liquidity level on the financial performance of firms listed at X stock exchange market.
To Evaluate the influence of Leverage on the financial performance of firms listed at X stock exchange market.

You see the specific objective herein are more detailed as far as investigating is concerned. The researcher can investigate by either assessing, examining or evaluating. This is in more details

The factors are more specific for firm size, liquidity and leverage are specific factors out of many. So the focus herein is not on any or all factors but the specific ones that the researcher has curiosity/research problem on.

Characteristics of specific objectives

The specific objectives are detailed, and again they are used to achieve the general objectives of your study. Therefore, they need to be well articulated and this calls for these goals having SMART characteristics

M=Measurable

A=Attainable

R=Realistic

T=Time bound

2.1 Specific Characteristic

Specific objectives should be stated in a more specific manner as compared to the general objectives

Specific in which aspects?

Specific as far as the action of searching new information is concerned and also in terms of the character or behavior being observed. For example from the general objective which is general, the specific objective should be drawn in its specification. Look at this example

The study is seeking to “Investigate on the factors influencing financial performance of firms listed in X stock exchange market.

The study will be guided by the following specific objective

To “ Assess the influence of Firm Size on the financial performance of firms listed at X stock exchange market ”. You see we have isolated firm size from the many factors for each factor has its own unique way of behavior and measurement.

2.2 Measurable Characteristics

The specific objective should represent study variables that can be gauged or appraised. In other words, the characteristics or behavior being studied should have indicators which will help the researcher to infer presence or absence of a particular attribute associated with the unit of observation. This is referred to as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and they should be universally accepted by all its users.

Measuring Study Variables can take two formats.

2.2.1 Operationalization of Study Variables

The process of assigning a gauge or proxy for measuring a variable is commonly referred to as operationalization. It is a methodological approach (look at methodological research gap) of defining a variable. Operationalization in research takes two formats

Classical way of measuring or defining Variables.

Operationalization of study variables.

Classical operationalization of a study variable entails adoption of the right measurement which is universally accepted in the scholarly world for they were established by classical authors. For example, to measure financial performance of a business, indicators such as Return on Equity (ROE), Return on Asset (ROA) and Return on Investment (ROI) are used. There are still others but am just mentioning but a few.

Operationalization of study variables is a way of defining a study variable to make it understandable and measurable. Some scholars referred to this process as operational definition of terms or variable and appears in Chapter three on research methodology in most research paper formats.

As a researcher, you must identify proxies to be used to measure the study variables under investigation. In fact, if a variable is measurable, it complies to theoretical foundation.

NB: In research we say, “ If a Variable is Not Measurable or the Researcher has No Way of Measuring the Variable, Then it Does Not Exist”. Hence do not use it as a study variable.

If the researcher picks firm size as one of the factors, then the study will be guided by the following specific objective

To “ Assess the influence of Firm Size on the financial performance of firms listed at X stock exchange market ”.

NB: In example one above, the approach of measuring the two variables is universally accepted hence it is classical approach .

The study is investigating on the factors influencing performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

To “ Assess the influence of Debt Financing level on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

NB: In example two above, debt financing levels is universally measured using classical approach, that is debt/equity ratio. While for the SME performance perspective, is operationalized using market share in percentage. The approach of measuring performance is contextually operationalized or defined so as to specifically fit the context of the SMEs being studied.

2.3 Attainable Characteristics

Specific objectives should be achievable in many spheres such as within the available cash and non-cash resources of the researcher. Cash resources refers to funding aspect of the study. As a researcher, one need to ask him or herself whether the set objectives are achievable subject to cash availability. This calls for cash budget so as to assess the possibilities thereof. Also, a personnel budget is necessary for the researcher need the right research personnel. The question here is who will carry out the actions required and whether if one person is doing that, if he or she has the right skills?

Also, note that the aspect of attainability is pegged on data collection. Imagine you are studying on the government affiliated factors that determine the economic growth of a country and you are planning to collect the data from state house. Oops! You will never attain that specific objective because if you do not work in state house, data from this place is impossible.

2.4 Realistic Characteristics

Attainable attribute of a specific objective is almost a sure way of saying it is realistic. For whatever goals set, as long as they are attainable by all standards, they are said to be realistic. Therefore, the term “realistic” depict that there is a clear accepting of how the objective will be achieved; that is, there are no cases or underlying hindering factors, which would curtail achievement of the set objective(s). This implies that the researcher need to be skeptical at the stage of formulating the research objectives to factor all operational risks thereof.

2.5 Time Bound Characteristics

Research cannot be undertaken forever. There is need to set timings when the set objectives will be achieved by the researcher. The timing is determined by many factors and so some researchers may take a shorter period to be accomplished while others may take slightly a longer period. Some of the factors may be such as

Available resources

Set deadlines

Decision making purposes

Scholarly assignments

Sponsor specifications and terms of reference etc.

The question that arises pertaining good quality research objectives is, how do we attain such objectives with SMART characteristics?

To answer this question, I wish to share with you my experience with some researchers and mostly students as a supervisor of research projects and Doctoral thesis and Keynote leader in research.

Many research students undertaking their academic research assignment start their research by developing their Chapter One of their proposal which entails the background of their study and specific objectives. So what they do, is that, they identify a topic either on their own, or from their research writing assistants or from their supervisors and then cook the specific objectives as part of the requirement of chapter one. At the end, the research proposal backfire because although it looks good and well flowered, it lacks academic value addition.

Of course when you start your research proposal to support your research problem by writing Chapter One, with guesswork specific research objectives, the following will be the shortcomings;

1). Your literature review will fail the test of justification as to why you want to carry the study . This is because it is hard to find a coincident where by predetermined or concocted specific research objectives matching the knowledge gaps in the literature review. Starting your dissertation or proposal by developing Chapter One where specific research objectives is a requirement is like putting the cart before the horses . The results are pathetic and the chances of your proposal being thrown through the window after defending your case to the defense panelist is very high.

2). It will be next to impossible to raise your research questions for your research problem.

This is because the research questions will be lacking theoretical/conceptual, methodological and contextual foundations.

3). It will be hard to develop research hypotheses for your research problem

This is because no concept or theory that backs your study.

4). Use of broad objectives which violate SMART approach.

When you start your proposal with Chapter One, you will notice that initially your specific objectives may appear specific. But when you do your Chapter Two on Literature Review, which deals with theoretical and empirical literature review, you may realize the stated objectives in Chapter One are broad and not attainable.

To answer the question at hand of “ How do we attain such objectives with SMART characteristics ?” remember that the specific research objectives are the aims or goals that are conceptualized when a research problem has been identified. Therefore, to succeed, the researcher need to rely on three mainstream research gaps, which are identified from your literature review stage. These are;

Theoretical knowledge/conceptual knowledge gaps

Contextual knowledge gaps

Methodological knowledge gaps

So you are supposed to start the process of formulating your research objectives by reviewing literature as advocated by Chapter two of literature review. This is the right footing.

Do not be cheated if you start your proposal with Chapter one where objectives are displayed, instead of Chapter two on literature review, you are simply developing a proposal that is flowery or ornamented and can only be of value to you if presented in a wedding party of your friend. Or if you are lucky that it lands in the line of academia it will be dominated with concocted data analysis and forged research finding which carry no plausibility or logic and again, it will face the misfortune of being damped in the University library with no industrialist or market player making use of it for furtherance of business or economy in the respective country.

Step by step procedure of formulating research objectives

Form the above short discussion, it can be alluded that there are generally five (5) steps that can guide a researcher to effectively formulate a good specific objective(s). Those steps are as follows;

Step 1: Literature Review

In this step, intensively review the relevant past studies which cover your study variables so as to identify the existing body of knowledge. In other words, you will be able to note as a researcher or student in higher levels of learning, the existing conceptual links that use the same variables of your interest.

Step 2: Identify the research gaps thereof

On reviewing past literature, you need to identify the theories, methods and the context under which the past studies were undertaken. This helps you to identify the corresponding theoretical/conceptual, methodological and contextual research gaps to be filled by the current study.

Step 3: Relate/Revise the Research Problem

On identifying the various research gaps, namely theoretical, contextual or methodological, relate these gaps to the research problem you had originally to justify why you think there is a research issue or you may be required to revise the original research problem you had from the beginning. The exact research problem you may settle on will definitely be guided by the nature of the research gaps.

Step 4: Identify the research Objectives

On confirming or revising the research problem as guided by the research gaps, you can now move on to establish the general and specific objectives of the current study. Do not forget that when carrying out any study or research activity, you aim at answering specific questions in mind which should have arisen from the literature review which exposed the gaps of your concern.

Step 5: Actual incorporation of the general and specific objectives in Background of the study

Once the general and specific objectives are identified, then they are used to build up chapter one of the proposal which is the background of the study.

Does your research objective(s) have any connection with your Research Findings?

The answer is YES

When undertaking any type of research, it is not carried out aimlessly, there are set research objectives. These research objectives guides the researcher on what area of study to focus on and where not to concentrate on. That is not on everything that looks attractive or peculiar.

Therefore, the researcher channels the budgeted resources towards achieving the set specific research objectives. What then does this imply to you and the researcher at large, that at the end of the day, data collected will be for the purposes of achieving the set objectives and of course the research findings will only be pegged on the set research objectives.

This means the two aspects of research, i.e. research objectives and research findings are connected. That is, research objectives is the motherboard to research findings. Such that if the researcher sets four research objectives, there will be a corresponding four research findings. There is no scenario whereby for example the set research objectives are five and the research findings collapse to three or multiply to seven . This applies also to all other aspects that may be considered to compare the two.

Table 1.1 summarizes the relationship between the two

Therefore, in your research paper, we should see a replica of the two aspects. Anything short of this theoretical foundation means your study has no validity.

Does your research findings(s) have any connection with your Areas for further study?

Research findings are as a result of efforts made by the researcher to achieve the set specific objectives. However, whether all the research questions were fully answered or whether all the research objectives were fully achieved, the researcher should raise further areas of research. This should be strictly pegged on the same thematic or topical issues of the research questions or specific objectives used in the study

5.1 Controversy on Area(s) for Further Research

Most student in Masters and even at the Doctoral level face a challenge in establishing area(s) for further research. From experience, the attitude towards handling this section is research papers has been carelessly treated. Even researchers and scholars in many fields show dissimilar viewpoints on what determines the areas for further research.

One case at hand is where students, even researchers just consider any UNRELATED area to their study and suggest it to be the area for further research. Or they just mechanically incorporate that section in their research as a formality.

Suppose the study was on the internal factors that influence personal behavior of a family member, the specific objective would probably be;

To analyze the influence of age on personal behavior of a family member
To examine the influence of friends on personal behavior of a family member
To assess the influence of education level on personal behavior of a family member
To determine the influence of punishment on personal behavior of a family member

In this case, it is common for a researcher or a scholar to carelessly suggest areas for further study to be on

Factors that influence academic performance of a member of a family
Relationship between the behavior of a family member and drug abuse
Factors affecting economic growth of a country.

The big question is; “is a, b and c areas for further research ok? Is this theoretical? The answer is NO .

For your information, the four specific objectives (i-iv) aforementioned squarely represent potential corresponding research findings the research will develop or realize at the end of the data analysis process. Therefore, the theoretical expectations here is that the researcher will realize corresponding research findings which are pegged on the four specific objectives.

Now, if the results emanating from the four specific objectives are statistically significant , then the researcher should correspondingly suggest further areas of research guided by the theme portrayed by the specific objectives used or based on the research questions used. If there are cases of results not being statistically significant, then some emphasis of further research can focus on those cases lacking significance.

For instance, with the four specific research objectives cited above, if the researcher revealed that the 3rd and the 4th specific objectives were Not Statistically Significant , then this forms the areas for further research in addition to the other perspectives that are in line with the significant research findings.

In research, there is nothing to be taken for granted. The careful and systematic development of research objectives is of value addition. The following are some of the key merits of establishing research objectives

Directing tool-the researcher uses the research objectives to set the direction of the research so that he/she does not lose the main focus.
Optimization of allocated resources-the researcher is guided on how to use the scarce resources in the most economical way for the set goals to be achieved.
Save time in research-no confusion with set objectives for the objectives lays down the timeframe to be taken.
Coordinating tool-objectives directs each research participant such that no overruns of activities. It actually enhances harmonization in all activities of research to avoid duplication efforts.
Act as a guide when setting the research questions-research objectives are the foundations for good quality research questions.
Guide in setting of hypothesis-the researcher will be directed by the research objectives to establish the correct hypothesis.
Guide in identifying the areas for further research-as discussed earlier, the research objectives relate with research findings which may either be significant or insignificant creating a room for identifying the further areas for research.

Although the advantages of research objectives outweigh the cons, there are some disadvantages such as;

Use of resources-research objectives demands consumption of organization’s resources
If wrongly established, it may result to no significant research findings hence affect the decision process.
Can cause confusion-if the research objectives are not clear may result to conflict of interest amongst research participants.
Excludability-research objectives may not incorporate all the participants and may affect the validity of the research findings.

In conclusion, therefore, “Areas for further Research” represents the missing gap between the specific research objectives and the research findings. Such that when suggesting further research, we should not move out of research finding context.

Research: Definition, Characteristics, Goals, Approaches

Research is an original and systematic investigation undertaken to increase existing knowledge and understanding of the unknown to establish facts and principles.

Let’s understand research:

What is Research?

Research is a voyage of discovery of new knowledge. It comprises creating ideas and generating new knowledge that leads to new and improved insights and the development of new materials, devices, products, and processes.

It should have the potential to produce sufficiently relevant results to increase and synthesize existing knowledge or correct and integrate previous knowledge.

Good reflective research produces theories and hypotheses and benefits any intellectual attempt to analyze facts and phenomena.

Where did the word Research Come from?

The word ‘research’ perhaps originates from the old French word “recerchier” which meant to ‘ search again.’ It implicitly assumes that the earlier search was not exhaustive and complete; hence, a repeated search is called for.

In practice, ‘research’ refers to a scientific process of generating an unexplored horizon of knowledge, aiming at discovering or establishing facts, solving a problem, and reaching a decision. Keeping the above points in view, we arrive at the following definition of research:

Research Definition

Research is a scientific approach to answering a research question , solving a research problem, or generating new knowledge through a systematic and orderly collection, organization, and analysis of data to make research findings useful in decision-making.

When do we call research scientific? Any research endeavor is said to be scientific if

It is based on empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning;
It consists of systematic observations, measurement, and experimentation;
It relies on the application of scientific methods and harnessing of curiosity;
It provides scientific information and theories for the explanation of nature;
It makes practical applications possible, and
It ensures adequate analysis of data employing rigorous statistical techniques.

The chief characteristic that distinguishes the scientific method from other methods of acquiring knowledge is that scientists seek to let reality speak for itself, supporting a theory when a theory’s predictions are confirmed and challenging a theory when its predictions prove false.

Scientific research has multidimensional functions, characteristics, and objectives.

Keeping these issues in view, we assert that research in any field or discipline:

Attempts to solve a research problem;
Involves gathering new data from primary or first-hand sources or using existing data for a new purpose;
is based upon observable experiences or empirical evidence;
Demands accurate observation and description;
Employs carefully designed procedures and rigorous analysis;
attempts to find an objective, unbiased solution to the problem and takes great pains to validate the methods employed;
is a deliberate and unhurried activity that is directional but often refines the problem or questions as the research progresses.

Characteristics of Research

Keeping this in mind that research in any field of inquiry is undertaken to provide information to support decision-making in its respective area, we summarize some desirable characteristics of research:

The research should focus on priority problems.
The research should be systematic. It emphasizes that a researcher should employ a structured procedure.
The research should be logical. Without manipulating ideas logically, the scientific researcher cannot make much progress in any investigation.
The research should be reductive. This means that one researcher’s findings should be made available to other researchers to prevent them from repeating the same research.
The research should be replicable. This asserts that there should be scope to confirm previous research findings in a new environment and different settings with a new group of subjects or at a different point in time.
The research should be generative. This is one of the valuable characteristics of research because answering one question leads to generating many other new questions.
The research should be action-oriented. In other words, it should be aimed at solving to implement its findings.
The research should follow an integrated multidisciplinary approach, i.e., research approaches from more than one discipline are needed.
The research should be participatory, involving all parties concerned (from policymakers down to community members) at all stages of the study.
The research must be relatively simple, timely, and time-bound, employing a comparatively simple design.
The research must be as much cost-effective as possible.
The research results should be presented in formats most useful for administrators, decision-makers, business managers, or community members.

3 Basic Operations of Research

Scientific research in any field of inquiry involves three basic operations:

Data collection;
Data analysis;
Report writing .

Data collection refers to observing, measuring, and recording data or information.
Data analysis, on the other hand, refers to arranging and organizing the collected data so that we may be able to find out what their significance is and generalize about them.
Report writing is the ultimate step of the study . Its purpose is to convey the information contained in it to the readers or audience .

If you note down, for example, the reading habit of newspapers of a group of residents in a community, that would be your data collection.

If you then divide these residents into three categories, ‘regular,’ ‘occasional,’ and ‘never,’ you have performed a simple data analysis. Your findings may now be presented in a report form.

A reader of your report knows what percentage of the community people never read any newspaper and so on.

Here are some examples that demonstrate what research is:

A farmer is planting two varieties of jute side by side to compare yields;
A sociologist examines the causes and consequences of divorce;
An economist is looking at the interdependence of inflation and foreign direct investment;
A physician is experimenting with the effects of multiple uses of disposable insulin syringes in a hospital;
A business enterprise is examining the effects of advertisement of their products on the volume of sales;
An economist is doing a cost-benefit analysis of reducing the sales tax on essential commodities;
The Bangladesh Bank is closely observing and monitoring the performance of nationalized and private banks;
Based on some prior information, Bank Management plans to open new counters for female customers.
Supermarket Management is assessing the satisfaction level of the customers with their products.

The above examples are all researching whether the instrument is an electronic microscope, hospital records, a microcomputer, a questionnaire , or a checklist.

Research Motivation – What makes one motivated to do research?

A person may be motivated to undertake research activities because

He might have genuine interest and curiosity in the existing body of knowledge and understanding of the problem;
He is looking for answers to questions that have remained unanswered so far and trying to unfold the truth;
The existing tools and techniques are accessible to him, and others may need modification and change to suit the current needs.

One might research ensuring.

Better livelihood;
Better career development;
Higher position, prestige, and dignity in society;
Academic achievement leading to higher degrees;
Self-gratification.

At the individual level, the results of the research are used by many:

A villager is drinking water from an arsenic-free tube well;
A rural woman is giving more green vegetables to her child than before;
A cigarette smoker is actively considering quitting smoking;
An old man is jogging for cardiovascular fitness;
A sociologist is using newly suggested tools and techniques in poverty measurement.

The above activities are all outcomes of the research.

All involved in the above processes will benefit from the research results. There is hardly any action in everyday life that does not depend upon previous research.

Research in any field of inquiry provides us with the knowledge and skills to solve problems and meet the challenges of a fast-paced decision-making environment.

9 Qualities of Research

Good research generates dependable data. It is conducted by professionals and can be used reliably for decision-making. It is thus of crucial importance that research should be made acceptable to the audience for which research should possess some desirable qualities in terms of.

9 qualities of research are;

Purpose clearly defined

Research process detailed, research design planner, ethical issues considered, limitations revealed, adequate analysis ensured, findings unambiguously presented, conclusions and recommendations justified..

We enumerate below a few qualities that good research should possess.

Good research must have its purposes clearly and unambiguously defined.

The problem involved or the decision to be made should be sharply delineated as clearly as possible to demonstrate the credibility of the research.

The research procedures should be described in sufficient detail to permit other researchers to repeat the research later.

Failure to do so makes it difficult or impossible to estimate the validity and reliability of the results. This weakens the confidence of the readers.

Any recommendations from such research justifiably get little attention from the policymakers and implementation.

The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as objective as possible.

In doing so, care must be taken so that the sample’s representativeness is ensured, relevant literature has been thoroughly searched, experimental controls, whenever necessary, have been followed, and the personal bias in selecting and recording data has been minimized.

A research design should always safeguard against causing mental and physical harm not only to the participants but also those who belong to their organizations.

Careful consideration must also be given to research situations when there is a possibility for exploitation, invasion of privacy, and loss of dignity of all those involved in the study.

The researcher should report with complete honesty and frankness any flaws in procedural design; he followed and provided estimates of their effects on the findings.

This enhances the readers’ confidence and makes the report acceptable to the audience. One can legitimately question the value of research where no limitations are reported.

Adequate analysis reveals the significance of the data and helps the researcher to check the reliability and validity of his estimates.

Data should, therefore, be analyzed with proper statistical rigor to assist the researcher in reaching firm conclusions.

When statistical methods have been employed, the probability of error should be estimated, and criteria of statistical significance applied.

The presentation of the results should be comprehensive, easily understood by the readers, and organized so that the readers can readily locate the critical and central findings.

Proper research always specifies the conditions under which the research conclusions seem valid.

Therefore, it is important that any conclusions drawn and recommendations made should be solely based on the findings of the study.

No inferences or generalizations should be made beyond the data. If this were not followed, the objectivity of the research would tend to decrease, resulting in confidence in the findings.

The researcher’s experiences were reflected.

The research report should contain information about the qualifications of the researchers .

If the researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research, and is a person of integrity, his report is likely to be highly valued. The policymakers feel confident in implementing the recommendations made in such reports.

4 Goals of Research

The primary goal or purpose of research in any field of inquiry; is to add to what is known about the phenomenon under investigation by applying scientific methods. Though each research has its own specific goals, we may enumerate the following 4 broad goals of scientific research:

Exploration and Explorative Research

Description and descriptive research, causal explanation and causal research, prediction and predictive research.

The link between the 4 goals of research and the questions raised in reaching these goals.

Let’s try to understand the 4 goals of the research.

Exploration is finding out about some previously unexamined phenomenon. In other words, an explorative study structures and identifies new problems.

The explorative study aims to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or gain new insights into it.

Exploration is particularly useful when researchers lack a clear idea of the problems they meet during their study.

Through exploration, researchers attempt to

Develop concepts more clearly;
Establish priorities among several alternatives;
Develop operational definitions of variables;
Formulate research hypotheses and sharpen research objectives;
Improve the methodology and modify (if needed) the research design .

Exploration is achieved through what we call exploratory research.

The end of an explorative study comes when the researchers are convinced that they have established the major dimensions of the research task.

Many research activities consist of gathering information on some topic of interest. The description refers to these data-based information-gathering activities. Descriptive studies portray precisely the characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or group.

Here, we attempt to describe situations and events through studies, which we refer to as descriptive research.

Such research is undertaken when much is known about the problem under investigation.

Descriptive studies try to discover answers to the questions of who, what, when, where, and sometimes how.

Such research studies may involve the collection of data and the creation of distribution of the number of times the researcher observes a single event or characteristic, known as a research variable.

A descriptive study may also involve the interaction of two or more variables and attempts to observe if there is any relationship between the variables under investigation .

Research that examines such a relationship is sometimes called a correlational study. It is correlational because it attempts to relate (i.e., co-relate) two or more variables.

A descriptive study may be feasible to answer the questions of the following types:

What are the characteristics of the people who are involved in city crime ? Are they young? Middle-aged? Poor? Muslim? Educated?
Who are the potential buyers of the new product? Men or women? Urban people or rural people?
Are rural women more likely to marry earlier than their urban counterparts?
Does previous experience help an employee to get a higher initial salary?

Although the data description in descriptive research is factual, accurate, and systematic, the research cannot describe what caused a situation.

Thus, descriptive research cannot be used to create a causal relationship where one variable affects another.

In other words, descriptive research can be said to have a low requirement for internal validity . In sum, descriptive research deals with everything that can be counted and studied.

But there are always restrictions on that. All research must impact the lives of the people around us.

For example, finding the most frequent disease that affects the people of a community falls under descriptive research.

But the research readers will have the hunch to know why this has happened and what to do to prevent that disease so that more people will live healthy lives.

It dictates that we need a causal explanation of the situation under reference and a causal study vis-a-vis causal research .

Explanation reveals why and how something happens.

An explanatory study goes beyond description and attempts to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. It explains the reason for the phenomenon that the descriptive study observed.

Thus, if a researcher finds that communities with larger family sizes have higher child deaths or that smoking correlates with lung cancer, he is performing a descriptive study.

If he explains why it is so and tries to establish a cause-and-effect relationship, he is performing explanatory or causal research . The researcher uses theories or at-least hypotheses to account for the factors that caused a certain phenomenon.

Look at the following examples that fit causal studies:

Why are people involved in crime? Can we explain this as a consequence of the present job market crisis or lack of parental care?
Will the buyers be motivated to purchase the new product in a new container ? Can an attractive advertisement motivate them to buy a new product?
Why has the share market shown the steepest-ever fall in stock prices? Is it because of the IMF’s warnings and prescriptions on the commercial banks’ exposure to the stock market or because of an abundant increase in the supply of new shares?

Prediction seeks to answer when and in what situations will occur if we can provide a plausible explanation for the event in question.

However, the precise nature of the relationship between explanation and prediction has been a subject of debate.

One view is that explanation and prediction are the same phenomena, except that prediction precedes the event while the explanation takes place after the event has occurred.

Another view is that explanation and prediction are fundamentally different processes.

We need not be concerned with this debate here but can simply state that in addition to being able to explain an event after it has occurred, we would also be able to predict when it will occur.

Research Approaches

There are two main approaches to doing research.

The first is the basic approach, which mostly pertains to academic research. Many people view this as pure research or fundamental research.

The research implemented through the second approach is variously known as applied research, action research, operations research, or contract research.

Also, the third category of research, evaluative research, is important in many applications. All these approaches have different purposes influencing the nature of the respective research.

Lastly, precautions in research are required for thorough research.

So, 4 research approaches are;

Basic Research .
Applied Research .
Evaluative Research .
Precautions in Research.

Areas of Research

The most important fields or areas of research, among others, are;

Social Research .
Health Research .
Population Research .
Business Research .
Marketing Research .
Agricultural Research .
Biomedical Research.
Clinical Research .
Outcomes Research.
Internet Research.
Archival Research.
Empirical Research.
Legal Research .
Education Research .
Engineering Research .
Historical Research.

Check out our article describing all 16 areas of research .

Precautions in Research

Whether a researcher is doing applied or basic research or research of any other form, he or she must take necessary precautions to ensure that the research he or she is doing is relevant, timely, efficient, accurate, and ethical .

The research is considered relevant if it anticipates the kinds of information that decision-makers, scientists, or policymakers will require.

Timely research is completed in time to influence decisions.

Research is efficient when it is of the best quality for the minimum expenditure and the study is appropriate to the research context.
Research is considered accurate or valid when the interpretation can account for both consistencies and inconsistencies in the data.
Research is ethical when it can promote trust, exercise care, ensure standards, and protect the rights of the participants in the research process.

After discussing the research definition and knowing the characteristics, goals, and approaches, it’s time to delve into the research fundamentals. For a comprehensive understanding, refer to our detailed research and methodology concepts guide .

Research should be relevant, timely, efficient, accurate, and ethical. It should anticipate the information required by decision-makers, be completed in time to influence decisions, be of the best quality for the minimum expenditure, and protect the rights of participants in the research process.

The two main approaches to research are the basic approach, often viewed as pure or fundamental research, and the applied approach, which includes action research, operations research, and contract research.

Having touched upon research, take next steps with our comprehensive resources on research and research methodology concepts .

Hypothesis Testing: Definition, Examples
Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI)
Stapel Scale: Definition, Example
Health Research: Definition, Examples
Research Hypothesis: Elements, Format, Types
Standard Error of Measurement
Business Research: Definition, Examples
Simple Category Scale: Definition, Example
How to Write an Evaluation Report
How to Select an Appropriate Evaluator
Variables: Definition, Examples, Types of Variables in Research
Content Analysis Method in Research
Research Objectives: Meaning, Types
Research Proposal: Components, Structure, Sample, Example
Data Analysis and Interpretation

The Research Problem and Objectives

Jun 14, 2012

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The Research Problem and Objectives. Lecture 6. Organization of this lecture. Research Problem & Objectives : Research and Decision/Action Problems Importance of Problem Specification Researchable Problem vs. Problematic Situation Problem Statements Use of Data Objectives

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The Research Problem and Objectives Lecture 6

Organization of this lecture Research Problem & Objectives: • Research and Decision/Action Problems • Importance of Problem Specification • Researchable Problem vs. Problematic Situation • Problem Statements • Use of Data • Objectives • Developing Problem and Objective Statements

A research problem (also “issue” or “question”) indicates the need or desire to know or to understand something. • Problem solving has three steps: • Obtaining relevant information about the problem and potential solutions – research component • Examine alternative approaches and chose among them – decision component • Determine how to implement the decision and take action – action component • This lecture deals mainly with the first of these three components, recognizing that they are all interconnected.

Research vs. Decision Problems • Research problems and decision problems may be closely related, especially in subject-matter or problem-solving research. • Also, decision (subject-matter) problems and action problems usually go together – we make a decision, then act on it. • Disciplinary research however, may not lead to a specific decision or action. Disciplinary problems are of interest within the discipline and are oriented to the generation of knowledge.

When research does lead to decision or action it is important to keep the research activity separated from the decision and implementation activities. • This helps to maintain as much neutrality as possible in the research process and helps the researcher remain objective. • A model of problem solving is presented in Figure 6.1 (developed by Glenn Johnson, 1976) for pragmatic problem-solving research.

Model of Problem Solving (Johnson, 1976)

This model of problem-solving is not relevant to disciplinary research, which is less likely to require decisions. • Problem solving for decision making: • is initiated with problem definition, • progresses to analysis, • then decision making and actions follow to implement the decision. • Normative and positivistic knowledge are used interdependently, impacting each step in the process.

The dashed line separates research (information generating) from the problem solving process RESEARCH PROBLEM-SOLVING

This separation of research from decision making is not considered useful, or even valid, by some economists. • They believe the decision process is part of the research process. • However, Johnson (and Ethridge) feel that “to mix the research and decision aspects may fragment the researcher’s attention, and it may subconsciously influence the outcome of the research.” (ie. The research is not objective.)

Research Problem Identification • This is the most critical and important part of all research projects. • The problem is the focus of both basic and applied research. It is the reason (justification) for the research. • The problem identification and explanation affect the quality, usefulness, effectiveness, and efficiency of the research, more than any other part of the research plan.

The research problem is the reason the research is being undertaken • The written problem description is the only credible evidence that a clear understanding of the issue has been achieved.

Researchable Problem vs. Problematic Situation • The researchable problem is the very specific problem at which the objectives of the research are directed. • It can be understood by contrasting it with the general problem, also called a problematic situation. • Problematic situations are very large in scope and have many dimensions. eg. World food (or hunger), Low incomes in developing countries, High birth rates, Low education levels, Restrictive trade policies, unemployment

Problematic situations are not researchable within an individual research project. • But, specific components of these problematic situations are researchable, when broken into distinct components. • The components must be: • confined in scope and complexity, and • support a set of research objectives that can be achieved with given resource constraints (time & money). • Research from many individual projects can be combined to address problematic situations.

The Problem Statement • Research problems are always linked to a more general set of problems, so it is useful to separate the problem statement into two parts: • The general problem(or problematic situation), • The specific problem (or the researchable problem). • Note that the specific problem is not necessarily “small”, but rather it must be precisely specified and capable of being addressed with available resources.

The general problem statement provides the background or setting for the researchable problem. • Usually, it helps to introduce the problem with very general statements, then progressively narrow the focus to more specific, precise issues. • However, if the reader of the proposal is already knowledgeable on the subject, the broad general discussion can be reduced. ie. The problem definition should be tailored for the expected audience.

For example, consider a situation where a student from a foreign country plans to conduct research about his home country. • The student’s research committee may not know much about the country, • so it is helpful to provide descriptions of the economic, social, political and institutional conditions in the country • Sample proposals are provided in Appendices A (government agency), B (master’s thesis), and C (PhD dissertation)

The general problem statement sets the stage for the specific, researchable problem. • The specific problem narrows the perspective to a set of issues on which knowledge or information is needed. • It must be clarified, • what knowledge is needed • the reasons the knowledge is needed • by whom the knowledge is needed • the potential purposes it could serve.

Five guidelines below provide a checklist in developing effective problem statements: The researchable problem must be sufficiently specific to be addressed with available resources(eg. time, research expertise, data, tools, financial support) The dimensions of the problem should be described in objective (neutral) rather than subjective terms eg. “Wheat producers in the European Economic Community are overpaid.” BETTER: “Wheat producers in the European Economic Community are subsidized”

The problem must be described sufficiently so that other people can comprehend it (This applies to both general and specific problem statements) The researcher’s perceptions of the problems may be intuitive, but must be developed logically The problem explanation must provide the reason (justification) for the research objective (at this point, it is helpful to read the general and specific problem statements in Appendix B, MS Thesis, pp 192-193)

Use of Data • Data can affect our awareness of a problem and how we perceive the problem. • It is usually advisable to examine relevant data in the process of developing the problem statements • In this process, large amounts of miscellaneous facts can be reduced to useful information (See the proposal in Appendix C, PhD dissertation, for the use of data to show changes in the pharmaceutical industry in relation to the impact of mergers)

Objectives • Objectives specify what the research project proposes to accomplish (do, achieve, estimate, determine, measure, evaluate, etc.) • The are usually best specified in general and specific parts. Often the shortest part of the proposal, but it is the centerpiece. • General objective – states the main purpose of the study. It should derive directly from the research problem statement. One sentence is best! • Specific objectives – a set or list of sub-objectives, each of which contributes to achieving the general objective

Developing Problem and Objective Statements • There are no constant rules or procedures to developing problem and objective statements. It may depend on how much you know about the subject of the research. • If your knowledge of the subject is limited, you may start with a broad consideration of the subject – then narrow the focus by segmenting problem areas into logical components (issues, questions, etc.)

If you know more about the research area and already have a good idea about the researchable problem, you may need to develop the general dimensions or context of the problem. (ie. Opposite from the previous example). • Once the problem has been defined and general objective identified, the specific objectives often naturally follow, by considering what are important components. • A logical and clearly written statement of problems and objectives is often the most difficult part of proposal writing.

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1 Objective and subjective research perspectives

Research in social science requires the collection of data in order to understand a phenomenon. This can be done in a number of ways, and will depend on the state of existing knowledge of the topic area. The researcher can:

Explore a little known issue. The researcher has an idea or has observed something and seeks to understand more about it (exploratory research).
Connect ideas to understand the relationships between the different aspects of an issue, i.e. explain what is going on (explanatory research).
Describe what is happening in more detail and expand the initial understanding (explicatory or descriptive research).

Exploratory research is often done through observation and other methods such as interviews or surveys that allow the researcher to gather preliminary information.

Explanatory research, on the other hand, generally tests hypotheses about cause and effect relationships. Hypotheses are statements developed by the researcher that will be tested during the research. The distinction between exploratory and explanatory research is linked to the distinction between inductive and deductive research. Explanatory research tends to be deductive and exploratory research tends to be inductive. This is not always the case but, for simplicity, we shall not explore the exceptions here.

Descriptive research may support an explanatory or exploratory study. On its own, descriptive research is not sufficient for an academic project. Academic research is aimed at progressing current knowledge.

The perspective taken by the researcher also depends on whether the researcher believes that there is an objective world out there that can be objectively known; for example, profit can be viewed as an objective measure of business performance. Alternatively the researcher may believe that concepts such as ‘culture’, ‘motivation’, ‘leadership’, ‘performance’ result from human categorisation of the world and that their ‘meaning’ can change depending on the circumstances. For example, performance can mean different things to different people. For one it may refer to a hard measure such as levels of sales. For another it may include good relationships with customers. According to this latter view, a researcher can only take a subjective perspective because the nature of these concepts is the result of human processes. Subjective research generally refers to the subjective experiences of research participants and to the fact that the researcher’s perspective is embedded within the research process, rather than seen as fully detached from it.

On the other hand, objective research claims to describe a true and correct reality, which is independent of those involved in the research process. Although this is a simplified view of the way in which research can be approached, it is an important distinction to think about. Whether you think about your research topic in objective or subjective terms will determine the development of the research questions, the type of data collected, the methods of data collection and analysis you adopt and the conclusions that you draw. This is why it is important to consider your own perspective when planning your project.

Subjective research is generally referred to as phenomenological research. This is because it is concerned with the study of experiences from the perspective of an individual, and emphasises the importance of personal perspectives and interpretations. Subjective research is generally based on data derived from observations of events as they take place or from unstructured or semi-structured interviews. In unstructured interviews the questions emerged from the discussion between the interviewer and the interviewee. In semi-structured interviews the interviewer prepares an outline of the interview topics or general questions, adding more as needs emerged during the interview. Structured interviews include the full list of questions. Interviewers do not deviate from this list. Subjective research can also be based on examinations of documents. The researcher will attribute personal interpretations of the experiences and phenomena during the process of both collecting and analysing data. This approach is also referred to as interpretivist research. Interpretivists believe that in order to understand and explain specific management and HR situations, one needs to focus on the viewpoints, experiences, feelings and interpretations of the people involved in the specific situation.

Conversely, objective research tends to be modelled on the methods of the natural sciences such as experiments or large scale surveys. Objective research seeks to establish law-like generalisations which can be applied to the same phenomenon in different contexts. This perspective, which privileges objectivity, is called positivism and is based on data that can be subject to statistical analysis and generalisation. Positivist researchers use quantitative methodologies, which are based on measurement and numbers, to collect and analyse data. Interpretivists are more concerned with language and other forms of qualitative data, which are based on words or images. Having said that, researchers using objectivist and positivist assumptions sometimes use qualitative data while interpretivists sometimes use quantitative data. (Quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be discussed in more detail in the final part of this course.) The key is to understand the perspective you intend to adopt and realise the limitations and opportunities it offers. Table 1 compares and contrasts the perspectives of positivism and interpretivism.

Some textbooks include the realist perspective or discuss constructivism, but, for the purpose of your work-based project, you do not need to engage with these other perspectives. This course keeps the discussion of research perspectives to a basic level.

Search and identify two articles that are based on your research topic. Ideally you may want to identify one article based on quantitative and one based on qualitative methodologies.

Now answer the following questions:

In what ways are the two studies different (excluding the research focus)?
Which research perspective do the author/s in article 1 take in their study (i.e. subjective or objective or in other words, phenomenological/interpretivist or positivist)?
What elements (e.g. specific words, sentences, research questions) in the introduction reveal the approach taken by the authors?
Which research perspective do the author/s in article 2 take in their study (i.e. subjective or objective, phenomenological/interpretivist or positivist)?
What elements (e.g. specific words, sentences, research questions) in the introduction and research questions sections reveal the approach taken by the authors?

This activity has helped you to distinguish between objective and subjective research by recognising the type of language and the different ways in which objectivists/positivists and subjectivists/interpretivists may formulate their research aims. It should also support the development of your personal preference on objective or subjective research.

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PDF Unit: 01 Research: Meaning, Types, Scope and Significance
definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge.‖Another definition of research is given by Creswell who states that - ―Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue‖.
Research Objectives
Research objectives describe what your research project intends to accomplish. They should guide every step of the research process, including how you collect data, build your argument, and develop your conclusions. Your research objectives may evolve slightly as your research progresses, but they should always line up with the research carried ...
What is a Research Objective? Definition, Types, Examples and Best
Specificity: Objectives should be specific and narrowly focused on the aspects of the research topic that the study intends to investigate. They should answer the question of "what" or "which" rather than "how" or "why.". Measurability: Research objectives should be formulated in a way that allows for measurement and evaluation.
What Are Research Objectives and How to Write Them (with Examples)
Formulating research objectives has the following five steps, which could help researchers develop a clear objective: 8. Identify the research problem. Review past studies on subjects similar to your problem statement, that is, studies that use similar methods, variables, etc.
Writing Effective Research Aims and Objectives
In order to write effective research aims and objectives, researchers should consider all aspects of their proposed work. For example, the sample(s) to be approached for participation in the primary data collection. Identifying research objectives that are SMART is key to ensuring key aspects of the work are considered prior to any data collection.
PDF Research Objectives by Dr. John M. Wanjohi Department of Chemistry
It is derived from the statement of the problem. The researcher states succinctly what the study proposes to investigate. It is a declarative statement that uses a non-biased verb (e.g. to determine, to find out, to investigate, to examine, to explore, to test, to establish etc.) to describe the intended tasks.
Research Objectives
Research Objectives. Research objectives refer to the specific goals or aims of a research study. They provide a clear and concise description of what the researcher hopes to achieve by conducting the research.The objectives are typically based on the research questions and hypotheses formulated at the beginning of the study and are used to guide the research process.
introduction to research methodology
Research can be defined as the search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, with an open mind, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method. Egesa Romans. According to Mugenda & Mugenda (2010), research is process of carrying out a diligent ...
Research Aims and Objectives: The dynamic duo for successful ...
Research aims and objectives are the foundation of any research project. They provide a clear direction and purpose for the study, ensuring that you stay focused and on track throughout the process. They are your trusted navigational tools, leading you to success. Understanding the relationship between research objectives and aims is crucial to ...
Formulating Research Aims and Objectives
Formulating research aim and objectives in an appropriate manner is one of the most important aspects of your thesis. This is because research aim and objectives determine the scope, depth and the overall direction of the research. Research question is the central question of the study that has to be answered on the basis of research findings.
What are research objectives?| Editage Insights
Answer: Research objectives describe concisely what the research is trying to achieve. They summarize the accomplishments a researcher wishes to achieve through the project and provides direction to the study. A research objective must be achievable, i.e., it must be framed keeping in mind the available time, infrastructure required for ...
What's the difference between research aims and objectives?
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement, before your research objectives. Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you'll address the overarching aim.
Accounting Nest
Research Objectives; Definition; Types; Characteristics; Formulating & Advantages 1.2 Introduction. Research as a creative and systematic way of acquiring new knowledge guides the researcher on how to develop quality specific objectives that will further guide on how the research assignment will be accomplished to arrive at the right and valid research findings.
Research: Definition, Characteristics, Goals, Approaches
Research is a voyage of discovery of new knowledge. It comprises creating ideas and generating new knowledge that leads to new and improved insights and the development of new materials, devices, products, and processes. It should have the potential to produce sufficiently relevant results to increase and synthesize existing knowledge or ...
The Research Problem and Objectives
The research is not objective.) Research Problem Identification • This is the most critical and important part of all research projects. • The problem is the focus of both basic and applied research. It is the reason (justification) for the research. • The problem identification and explanation affect the quality, usefulness ...
1 Objective and subjective research perspectives
Objective research seeks to establish law-like generalisations which can be applied to the same phenomenon in different contexts. This perspective, which privileges objectivity, is called positivism and is based on data that can be subject to statistical analysis and generalisation. Positivist researchers use quantitative methodologies, which ...

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Writing Effective Research Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Introduction

Identify the Meaning and Purpose of a Research Aim with Business Research

Section Summary

Understand the Link Between an Effective Research Aim and the Wider Topic and Literature/secondary Sources, Where Appropriate

Understanding How to Identify SMART Research Objectives, Research Questions, and Consideration of Research Hypothesis

Recognizing the Link Between Writing an Effective Research Aim and the Research Design

Multiple-Choice Quiz Questions

Web Resources

Research Objectives – Types, Examples and Writing Guide

Research Objectives

Types of Research Objectives

How to Write Research Objectives

Example of Research Objectives

When to Write Research Objectives

Purpose of Research Objectives

Advantages of Research Objectives

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Muhammad Hassan

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Formulating Research Aims and Objectives

On this Page

Formulating research objectives

1.3 Definition;

Types of Research Objectives

1.4 General Objectives

1.5 Specific Objectives

Characteristics of specific objectives

Step by step procedure of formulating research objectives

5.1 Controversy on Area(s) for Further Research

Research: Definition, Characteristics, Goals, Approaches

What is Research?

Where did the word Research Come from?

Research Definition

Characteristics of Research

3 Basic Operations of Research

Research Motivation – What makes one motivated to do research?

9 Qualities of Research

Purpose clearly defined

The researcher’s experiences were reflected.

4 Goals of Research

Exploration and Explorative Research

Research Approaches

Areas of Research

Precautions in Research

The Research Problem and Objectives

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Research Objectives

Research Process Define Problem, Research Objectives

Research problem and Problem statement

Research Purpose and Objectives

The Research Problem

Research and objectives

Research Objectives:

Problem Statement and Objectives

Problem Formulation: Problem Statements and Research Objectives

Problem & Objectives