What Are The Research Objectives

What are the research objectives?
In general, research objectives describe what we expect to achieve by a project.
Research objectives are usually expressed in lay terms and are directed as much to the client as
to the researcher. Research objectives may be linked with a hypothesis or used as a statement of
purpose in a study that does not save a hypothesis.
Even if the nature of the research has not been clear to the layperson from the hypotheses, s/he
should be able to understand the research from the objectives.
A statement of research objectives can serve to guide the activities of research. Consider the
following examples.
 Objective:To describe what factors farmers take into account in making such decisions
as whether to adopt a new technology or what crops to grow.
 Objective:To develop a budget for reducing pollution by a particular enterprise.
 Objective:To describe the habitat of the giant panda in China.
In the above examples the intent of the research is largely descriptive.
 In the case of the first example, the research will end the study by being able to specify
factors which emerged in household decisions.
 In the second, the result will be the specification of a pollution reduction budget.
 In the third, creating a picture of the habitat of the giant panda in China.
These observations might prompt researchers to formulate hypotheses which could be tested in
another piece of research. So long as the aim of the research is exploratory, ie to describe what
is, rather than to test an explanation for what is, a research objective will provide an adequate
guide to the research.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The research has the following three objectives:
1. Theoretical objective
2. Factual objective
3. Application objective
1. Theoretical Objective
Those researches whose objectives are theoretical formulate the new theories, principles or laws.
Such type of research is explanatory because it explains the relationships of certain variables.
These researches contribute some basic knowledge to the human knowledge. The researches in
different disciplines i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics etc. have the theoretical objective.
2. Factual Objective
Those researches whose objective is factual find out new facts. This objective is by nature
descriptive. These researches describe facts or events which happened previously. Such type of
research is done in history.
3. Application Objective
The research having application objective does not contribute a new knowledge in the fund of
human knowledge but suggests new applications. By application we mean improvement and
modification in practice. For example if anyone gives a new application of electricity then such
type of research has application objective.
Writing research objectives
Objectives must always be set after having formulated a good research question. After all, they
are to explain the way in which such question is going to be answered. Objectives are usually
headed by infinitive verbs such as:
To identify
To establish
To describe
To determine
To estimate
To develop
To compare
To analyse
To collect
The research question formulates a research problem that you want to investigate. The scope of
the question is informed by your research aim and your research objectives.
A research aim expresses the intention or an aspiration of the research study; it summarizes in a

single sentence what you hope to achieve at the end of a research project. Your aim should be
specific and phrased in such a way that it is possible to identify when it has been achieved.
Research objectives outline the specific steps that you will take to achieve your research aim.
Objectives define the what, why, who, when and how questions. You should check your
objectives regularly during your research project to ensure you are staying focused, and decide if
you need to review or revise them. Once you have defined your objectives, consider whether
each is possible and if the number of objectives is realistic (as a guide, there should be between
three and five objectives derived from the aim).
Your research aim and objectives should be SMART:
Specific – be precise about what you are going to do.

Measureable – what evidence will you have that you have reached your goal?
Achievable – Don’t attempt too much. A less ambitious but completed objective is better than an
over-ambitious one that you cannot possibly achieve.
Realistic – do you have the necessary resources (time, money, skills etc) to achieve the
objective?
Time constrained – determine when each stage needs to be completed. Is there time in your
schedule to allow for unexpected delays?

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What are the research objectives?

In general, research objectives describe what we expect to achieve by a project.

 Objective:To develop a budget for reducing pollution by a particular enterprise.

 Objective:To describe the habitat of the giant panda in China.

In the above examples the intent of the research is largely descriptive.

A research aim expresses the intention or an aspiration of the research study; it summarizes in a

Your research aim and objectives should be SMART:

Specific – be precise about what you are going to do.

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