Lec 3 Research Objectives

Research Objectives
Mr. Ali Abdirahman (Awkey)

BSc, Masters of Public Health & Nutrition (Mph)
Cell: 615679712
E-mail: aawkey114@gmail.com
Definition of Research Objectives
 Research objectives is a statement of what

the researcher would
describe ,verify ,determine or prove at the
end of his/her research .
Objectives
 Objectives must be closely related to statement of the

problem.
For example, if the problem identified is low utilization of
Antenatal care clinic, the general objective of the study could be
to identify the reasons for this low utilization, in order to find
solutions.
 The objectives of the research are the goals to be achieved by
the research project.
 The objectives vary according to the study design.
The Research Objectives May take Several Forms
 Questions: answers are to be found from the

research.
 Hypothesis: the formulated hypothesis is to be
proved or disproved.
 Positive sentences: to measure, to calculate.
The Criteria of a Good Research
Objectives:
 The objective should be logic & coherent.

 The objective should be realistic.
 The objective should be defined in operational terms: to
compare, to measure, to identify, to describe.
 The objective should be clearly stated, specific and
comprehensive
 Avoid non-operational verbs: to understand, to notice, to
observe
Stating Objectives(SMART)
S –Specific
M –Measurable
A –Achievable
R –Relevant / Realistic
T –Testable
Types of Objectives
The are two categories objectives of the study:

General and specific objectives :
General Objectives:
State what is expected to be achieved in general and broad
term .it precisely reflects activities to be undertaken during the
research.
 This should specify what kind of knowledge the study is
expected to obtain.
 It should give a clear notion of what is to be described,
determined, identified, compared and, in the cases of studies
with working hypotheses, confirmed.
Specific Objectives:
 Are Breakdown of the general objective into

smaller logically connected part . Specific
objectives state in details what the general
objectives intend to achieve this includes all
or the important factors that were identified in
the problem analysis.
The Specific Objectives Are Subdivided into
three Main Types
 Estimation objectives: these estimate

certain features such as incidence rate,
prevalence rate, MMR.
 Association objectives: test the association
between certain factors & disease.
 Evaluation objectives: assess the impact of
an intervention on the severity of a disease.
Relationship Of Objectives and Research Problem:
 Objectives should be closely related to the

statement of the problem
 Specific objectives should systematic address the
various aspects of the problem as defined Under
problem statement.
 Objectives of a research study summarize what is to
be achieved by the study, this include all the
important factor that where identified in the
problem analysis.
 The first specific objective usually focuses on
quantifying or specifying the problem.
Different between general and objectives and
specific object:
General objectives: ultimate…. objectives =long term

objective
Specific objective: immediate….objectives =short term
objective
Why Should Research Objectives Be
Developed?
 Focus the study.

 Avoid unnecessary collection of data.
 Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
 Facilitate the development of research methodology
 Help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation
and utilization of data.
How Should You State Your
Objectives?
 Cover the different aspects of the problem and its
contributing factors in a coherent way and in a
logical sequence.
 Clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying
exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what
purpose.
 Realistic considering local conditions.
 Use action verbs that are specific enough to be
evaluated.
Examples Of Action Verbs:
To determine
To identify
To find out
To describe
To compare
To verify
To calculate
To measure
To establish.
Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs such as:
 To appreciate
 To understand
 To study
 To notice
 To observe
Assessing The Objectives:
 Do the objectives deal with all aspects of the

research problem in a logical and coherent way?
 Are the objectives clearly phrased?
 Are the objectives defined in operational terms that
can be measured? Are they realistic?
 Do they indicate where the study will be conducted?
 Do they include the development of
recommendations for how the research results will
be used to solve the problem?
Research Hypothesis
Definition:
Hypothesis is prediction of relationship
between one or more factors and the
problem under study, which can be tested.
Generating The Research Hypothesis
 If the research question is concerned with

relationships between observations or variables, a
research hypothesis will need to be developed.
 The research hypothesis is a provisional statement that
can be tested by a scientific research design.
Examples Of Research Hypothesis
 Children borne to women whose husbands smoke

more than 20 cigarettes a day are of lower birth weight
than children born to women whose husband do not
smoke.

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Research Objectives

Mr. Ali Abdirahman (Awkey)

 Research objectives is a statement of what

 Objectives must be closely related to statement of the

 Questions: answers are to be found from the

 The objective should be logic & coherent.

The are two categories objectives of the study:

 Are Breakdown of the general objective into

 Estimation objectives: these estimate

 Objectives should be closely related to the

General objectives: ultimate…. objectives =long term

 Focus the study.

 Do the objectives deal with all aspects of the

 If the research question is concerned with

 Children borne to women whose husbands smoke

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