Research objectives refer to the definitive statements made by researchers at the beginning of a research project detailing exactly what a research project aims to achieve.
These objectives are explicit goals clearly and concisely projected by the researcher to present a clear intention or course of action for his or her qualitative or quantitative study.
Research objectives are typically nested under one overarching research aim. The objectives are the steps you’ll need to take in order to achieve the aim (see the examples below, for example, which demonstrate an aim followed by 3 objectives, which is what I recommend to my research students).
ContentsshowResearch Objectives vs Research AimsHow to Write Research ObjectivesResearch Objectives ExamplesThe Importance of Research ObjectivesConclusionReferencesResearch Objectives vs Research AimsResearch aim and research objectives are fundamental constituents of any study, fitting together like two pieces of the same puzzle.
The ‘research aim’ describes the overarching goal or purpose of the study (Kumar, 2019). This is usually a broad, high-level purpose statement, summing up the central question that the research intends to answer.
Example of an Overarching Research Aim:
“The aim of this study is to explore the impact of climate change on crop productivity.”
Comparatively, ‘research objectives’ are concrete goals that underpin the research aim, providing stepwise actions to achieve the aim.
Objectives break the primary aim into manageable, focused pieces, and are usually characterized as being more specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Examples of Specific Research Objectives:
1. “To examine the effects of rising temperatures on the yield of rice crops during the upcoming growth season.”2. “To assess changes in rainfall patterns in major agricultural regions over the first decade of the twenty-first century (2000-2010).”3. “To analyze the impact of changing weather patterns on crop diseases within the same timeframe.”
The distinction between these two terms, though subtle, is significant for successfully conducting a study. The research aim provides the study with direction, while the research objectives set the path to achieving this aim, thereby ensuring the study’s efficiency and effectiveness.
How to Write Research ObjectivesI usually recommend to my students that they use the SMART framework to create their research objectives.
SMART is an acronym standing for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. It provides a clear method of defining solid research objectives and helps students know where to start in writing their objectives (Locke & Latham, 2013).
Each element of this acronym adds a distinct dimension to the framework, aiding in the creation of comprehensive, well-delineated objectives.
Here is each step:
Specific: We need to avoid ambiguity in our objectives. They need to be clear and precise (Doran, 1981). For instance, rather than stating the objective as “to study the effects of social media,” a more focused detail would be “to examine the effects of social media use (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) on the academic performance of college students.”Measurable: The measurable attribute provides a clear criterion to determine if the objective has been met (Locke & Latham, 2013). A quantifiable element, such as a percentage or a number, adds a measurable quality. For example, “to increase response rate to the annual customer survey by 10%,” makes it easier to ascertain achievement.Achievable: The achievable aspect encourages researchers to craft realistic objectives, resembling a self-check mechanism to ensure the objectives align with the scope and resources at disposal (Doran, 1981). For example, “to interview 25 participants selected randomly from a population of 100” is an attainable objective as long as the researcher has access to these participants.Relevance: Relevance, the fourth element, compels the researcher to tailor the objectives in alignment with overarching goals of the study (Locke & Latham, 2013). This is extremely important – each objective must help you meet your overall one-sentence ‘aim’ in your study.Time-Bound: Lastly, the time-bound element fosters a sense of urgency and prioritization, preventing procrastination and enhancing productivity (Doran, 1981). “To analyze the effect of laptop use in lectures on student engagement over the course of two semesters this year” expresses a clear deadline, thus serving as a motivator for timely completion.You’re not expected to fit every single element of the SMART framework in one objective, but across your objectives, try to touch on each of the five components.
Research Objectives Examples1. Field: Psychology
Aim: To explore the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance in college students.
Objective 1: To compare cognitive test scores of students with less than six hours of sleep and those with 8 or more hours of sleep.Objective 2: To investigate the relationship between class grades and reported sleep duration.Objective 3: To survey student perceptions and experiences on how sleep deprivation affects their cognitive capabilities.2. Field: Environmental Science
Aim: To understand the effects of urban green spaces on human well-being in a metropolitan city.
Objective 1: To assess the physical and mental health benefits of regular exposure to urban green spaces.Objective 2: To evaluate the social impacts of urban green spaces on community interactions.Objective 3: To examine patterns of use for different types of urban green spaces.3. Field: Technology
Aim: To investigate the influence of using social media on productivity in the workplace.
Objective 1: To measure the amount of time spent on social media during work hours.Objective 2: To evaluate the perceived impact of social media use on task completion and work efficiency.Objective 3: To explore whether company policies on social media usage correlate with different patterns of productivity.4. Field: Education
Aim: To examine the effectiveness of online vs traditional face-to-face learning on student engagement and achievement.
Objective 1: To compare student grades between the groups exposed to online and traditional face-to-face learning.Objective 2: To assess student engagement levels in both learning environments.Objective 3: To collate student perceptions and preferences regarding both learning methods.5. Field: Health
Aim: To determine the impact of a Mediterranean diet on cardiac health among adults over 50.
Objective 1: To assess changes in cardiovascular health metrics after following a Mediterranean diet for six months.Objective 2: To compare these health metrics with a similar group who follow their regular diet.Objective 3: To document participants’ experiences and adherence to the Mediterranean diet.6. Field: Environmental Science
Aim: To analyze the impact of urban farming on community sustainability.
Objective 1: To document the types and quantity of food produced through urban farming initiatives.Objective 2: To assess the effect of urban farming on local communities’ access to fresh produce.Objective 3: To examine the social dynamics and cooperative relationships in the creating and maintaining of urban farms.7. Field: Sociology
Aim: To investigate the influence of home offices on work-life balance during remote work.
Objective 1: To survey remote workers on their perceptions of work-life balance since setting up home offices.Objective 2: To conduct an observational study of daily work routines and family interactions in a home office setting.Objective 3: To assess the correlation, if any, between physical boundaries of workspaces and mental boundaries for work in the home setting.8. Field: Economics
Aim: To evaluate the effects of minimum wage increases on small businesses.
Objective 1: To analyze cost structures, pricing changes, and profitability of small businesses before and after minimum wage increases.Objective 2: To survey small business owners on the strategies they employ to navigate minimum wage increases.Objective 3: To examine employment trends in small businesses in response to wage increase legislation.9. Field: Education
Aim: To explore the role of extracurricular activities in promoting soft skills among high school students.
Objective 1: To assess the variety of soft skills developed through different types of extracurricular activities.Objective 2: To compare self-reported soft skills between students who participate in extracurricular activities and those who do not.Objective 3: To investigate the teachers’ perspectives on the contribution of extracurricular activities to students’ skill development.10. Field: Technology
Aim: To assess the impact of virtual reality (VR) technology on the tourism industry.
Objective 1: To document the types and popularity of VR experiences available in the tourism market.Objective 2: To survey tourists on their interest levels and satisfaction rates with VR tourism experiences.Objective 3: To determine whether VR tourism experiences correlate with increased interest in real-life travel to the simulated destinations.11. Field: Biochemistry
Aim: To examine the role of antioxidants in preventing cellular damage.
Objective 1: To identify the types and quantities of antioxidants in common fruits and vegetables.Objective 2: To determine the effects of various antioxidants on free radical neutralization in controlled lab tests.Objective 3: To investigate potential beneficial impacts of antioxidant-rich diets on long-term cellular health.12. Field: Linguistics
Aim: To determine the influence of early exposure to multiple languages on cognitive development in children.
Objective 1: To assess cognitive development milestones in monolingual and multilingual children.Objective 2: To document the number and intensity of language exposures for each group in the study.Objective 3: To investigate the specific cognitive advantages, if any, enjoyed by multilingual children.13. Field: Art History
Aim: To explore the impact of the Renaissance period on modern-day art trends.
Objective 1: To identify key characteristics and styles of Renaissance art.Objective 2: To analyze modern art pieces for the influence of the Renaissance style.Objective 3: To survey modern-day artists for their inspirations and the influence of historical art movements on their work.14. Field: Cybersecurity
Aim: To assess the effectiveness of two-factor authentication (2FA) in preventing unauthorized system access.
Objective 1: To measure the frequency of unauthorized access attempts before and after the introduction of 2FA.Objective 2: To survey users about their experiences and challenges with 2FA implementation.Objective 3: To evaluate the efficacy of different types of 2FA (SMS-based, authenticator apps, biometrics, etc.).15. Field: Cultural Studies
Aim: To analyze the role of music in cultural identity formation among ethnic minorities.
Objective 1: To document the types and frequency of traditional music practices within selected ethnic minority communities.Objective 2: To survey community members on the role of music in their personal and communal identity.Objective 3: To explore the resilience and transmission of traditional music practices in contemporary society.16. Field: Astronomy
Aim: To explore the impact of solar activity on satellite communication.
Objective 1: To categorize different types of solar activities and their frequencies of occurrence.Objective 2: To ascertain how variations in solar activity may influence satellite communication.Objective 3: To investigate preventative and damage-control measures currently in place during periods of high solar activity.17. Field: Literature
Aim: To examine narrative techniques in contemporary graphic novels.
Objective 1: To identify a range of narrative techniques employed in this genre.Objective 2: To analyze the ways in which these narrative techniques engage readers and affect story interpretation.Objective 3: To compare narrative techniques in graphic novels to those found in traditional printed novels.18. Field: Renewable Energy
Aim: To investigate the feasibility of solar energy as a primary renewable resource within urban areas.
Objective 1: To quantify the average sunlight hours across urban areas in different climatic zones. Objective 2: To calculate the potential solar energy that could be harnessed within these areas.Objective 3: To identify barriers or challenges to widespread solar energy implementation in urban settings and potential solutions.19. Field: Sports Science
Aim: To evaluate the role of pre-game rituals in athlete performance.
Objective 1: To identify the variety and frequency of pre-game rituals among professional athletes in several sports.Objective 2: To measure the impact of pre-game rituals on individual athletes’ performance metrics.Objective 3: To examine the psychological mechanisms that might explain the effects (if any) of pre-game ritual on performance.20. Field: Ecology
Aim: To investigate the effects of urban noise pollution on bird populations.
Objective 1: To record and quantify urban noise levels in various bird habitats.Objective 2: To measure bird population densities in relation to noise levels.Objective 3: To determine any changes in bird behavior or vocalization linked to noise levels.21. Field: Food Science
Aim: To examine the influence of cooking methods on the nutritional value of vegetables.
Objective 1: To identify the nutrient content of various vegetables both raw and after different cooking processes.Objective 2: To compare the effect of various cooking methods on the nutrient retention of these vegetables.Objective 3: To propose cooking strategies that optimize nutrient retention.The Importance of Research ObjectivesThe importance of research objectives cannot be overstated. In essence, these guideposts articulate what the researcher aims to discover, understand, or examine (Kothari, 2014).
When drafting research objectives, it’s essential to make them simple and comprehensible, specific to the point of being quantifiable where possible, achievable in a practical sense, relevant to the chosen research question, and time-constrained to ensure efficient progress (Kumar, 2019).
ConclusionRemember that a good research objective is integral to the success of your project, offering a clear path forward for setting out a research design, and serving as the bedrock of your study plan. Each objective must distinctly address a different dimension of your research question or problem (Kothari, 2014). Always bear in mind that the ultimate purpose of your research objectives is to succinctly encapsulate your aims in the clearest way possible, facilitating a coherent, comprehensive and rational approach to your planned study, and furnishing a scientific roadmap for your journey into the depths of knowledge and research (Kumar, 2019).
ReferencesKothari, C.R (2014). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International.
Kumar, R. (2019). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners.New York: SAGE Publications.
Doran, G. T. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives. Management review, 70(11), 35-36.
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2013). New Developments in Goal Setting and Task Performance. New York: Routledge.
Chris Drew (PhD)
Website | + postsDr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]
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