YOU WERE LOOKING FOR: Objectives In Research Paper
Research objectives divide research aim into several parts and address each part separately. Moreover, research aim specifies WHAT needs to be studied and research objectives comprise a number of steps that address HOW research aim will be achieved....
Choosing the topic too broadly. This is the most common mistake. 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...
Open in a separate window A poorly devised research question may affect the choice of study design, potentially lead to futile situations and, thus, hamper the chance of determining anything of clinical significance, which will then affect the potential for publication. Without devoting appropriate resources to developing the research question, the quality of the study and subsequent results may be compromised. During the initial stages of any research study, it is therefore imperative to formulate a research question that is both clinically relevant and answerable. Research hypothesis The primary research question should be driven by the hypothesis rather than the data. This sounds intuitive; however, if we take, for example, a database of information, it is potentially possible to perform multiple statistical comparisons of groups within the database to find a statistically significant association.
Multiple statistical testing of associations from data previously collected could potentially lead to spuriously positive findings of association through chance alone. The research or clinical hypothesis is developed from the research question and then the main elements of the study — sampling strategy, intervention if applicable , comparison and outcome variables — are summarized in a form that establishes the basis for testing, statistical and ultimately clinical significance.
The investigative team would first state a research hypothesis. This could be expressed as a single outcome e. The null hypothesis for the preceding research hypothesis then would be that there is no difference in mean functional outcome between the computer-assisted insertion and free-hand placement techniques. After forming the null hypothesis, the researchers would form an alternate hypothesis stating the nature of the difference, if it should appear. The alternate hypothesis would be that there is a difference in mean functional outcome between these techniques. At the end of the study, the null hypothesis is then tested statistically. If the findings of the study are not statistically significant i.
In other words, hypothesis testing confirms or refutes the statement that the observed findings did not occur by chance alone but rather occurred because there was a true difference in outcomes between these surgical procedures. The concept of statistical hypothesis testing is complex, and the details are beyond the scope of this article. Another important concept inherent in hypothesis testing is whether the hypotheses will be 1-sided or 2-sided. A 2-sided hypothesis states that there is a difference between the experimental group and the control group, but it does not specify in advance the expected direction of the difference. For example, we asked whether there is there an improvement in outcomes with computer-assisted surgery or whether the outcomes worse with computer-assisted surgery. We presented a 2-sided test in the above example because we did not specify the direction of the difference. A 1-sided hypothesis states a specific direction e.
A 2-sided hypothesis should be used unless there is a good justification for using a 1-sided hypothesis. Whereas the investigators may state the hypothesis as being 1-sided there is an improvement with treatment , the study and investigators must adhere to the concept of clinical equipoise. According to this principle, a clinical or surgical trial is ethical only if the expert community is uncertain about the relative therapeutic merits of the experimental and control groups being evaluated. Acting on the principles of appropriate hypothesis development, the study can then confidently proceed to the development of the research objective. Research objective The primary objective should be coupled with the hypothesis of the study. Study objectives define the specific aims of the study and should be clearly stated in the introduction of the research protocol. Note that the study objective is an active statement about how the study is going to answer the specific research question.
Objectives can and often do state exactly which outcome measures are going to be used within their statements. They are important because they not only help guide the development of the protocol and design of study but also play a role in sample size calculations and determining the power of the study. For example, the most methodologically sound randomized controlled trial comparing 2 techniques of distal radial fixation would have little or no clinical impact if the primary objective was to determine the effect of treatment A as compared to treatment B on intraoperative fluoroscopy time.
However, if the objective was to determine the effect of treatment A as compared to treatment B on patient functional outcome at 1 year, this would have a much more significant impact on clinical decision-making. Second, more meaningful surgeon—patient discussions could ensue, incorporating patient values and preferences with the results from this study. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for chronic patellar tendinopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Rheumatology ;— Research question: How does low-intensity pulsed ultrasound LIPUS compare with a placebo device in managing the symptoms of skeletally mature patients with patellar tendinopathy? Conclusion The development of the research question is the most important aspect of a research project.
A research project can fail if the objectives and hypothesis are poorly focused and underdeveloped. Useful tips for surgical researchers are provided in Box 3. Designing and developing an appropriate and relevant research question, hypothesis and objectives can be a difficult task. The critical appraisal of the research question used in a study is vital to the application of the findings to clinical practice. Focusing resources, time and dedication to these 3 very important tasks will help to guide a successful research project, influence interpretation of the results and affect future publication efforts. Box 3 Tips for developing research questions, hypotheses and objectives for research studies Perform a systematic literature review if one has not been done to increase knowledge and familiarity with the topic and to assist with research development.
Learn about current trends and technological advances on the topic. Seek careful input from experts, mentors, colleagues and collaborators to refine your research question as this will aid in developing the research question and guide the research study. Develop a research hypothesis from the research question. Develop clear and well-defined primary and secondary if needed objectives. Ensure that the research question and objectives are answerable, feasible and clinically relevant. Footnotes Competing interests: No funding was received in preparation of this paper. References 1. Brian Haynes R. Forming research questions. J Clin Epidemiol.
Designing clinical research. Evidence-based medicine: how to practice and teach evidence-based medicine. Edinburgh UK : Churchill Livingstone; Introduction to and techniques of evidence-based medicine. Clinical epidemiology: how to do clinical practice research. Guyatt G, Rennie D. Hanson BP. Designing, conducting and reporting clinical research. A step by step approach. One and two sided tests of significance. Freedman B. Equipoise and the ethics of clinical research. N Engl J Med.
It informs the readers what you want to research and how far you want to go. It also informs the readers about the scope and extent of the study. The most important point to consider is the clarity of the research objectives. Characteristics of the research objectives Clear Clarity is the main focus of the research objectives. The way you word your research objectives tell a lot about your research. The wording should have to be very clear and very well defined.
Not only other people will get to know about your research from the research objectives but you too need to look at the objectives to make several decisions about your research. Make simple sentences but clear and avoid complexities in wording. Complete Each phrase in the research objectives should have a sense of completeness. Broken sentences and incomplete objectives can lead you into trouble later on. Here completeness is necessary because you will be able to decide the extent of your research from your research objectives.
A complete research objective should have information about the population to be studied. Specific Your research objectives should specifically focus on the what, how when and where questions and there should be no loopholes. Identify the main variables of the study In the research objectives the researcher decides about the main variables of the study. The variables are the measurable concepts or quantities that will majorly impact your research. The variables should be well-defined in this phase of the research. You should decide about the dependent variables, independent variables as well as the control variables, if the research is an experimental research. Identify the direction of the relationship Some research studies have hypothesis, in hypothesis testing studies the researcher should define the direction in which he want to test the variables.
This is only done in hypothesis testing studies, in other studies the researcher only mentions the variables. Types of the research objectives There are only two types of objectives in any type of study; the main objectives and the secondary or sub objectives. The main objectives or the primary objectives will lead the research you are about to conduct. They provide clear, complete and specific goals of your research. The secondary objectives set the goals that you want to achieve along with the main objectives. They are also relevant and specific to the research problem but they will only help in obtaining the primary objectives. The secondary objectives are thus not the main goal or aim of the research but they provide support in attaining the main goals.
This post is as important today as it was when written several years ago by our former Sr. Research Analyst, Kevin Lyons. Kevin may have moved on, but we stand by this terrific guidance. Having well-defined objectives narrows and focuses the research and ensures that the findings are relevant to decision-makers. The research objectives drive all aspects of the methodology, including instrument design, data collection, analysis, and ultimately the recommendations.
Six important guidelines that should be observed when developing research objectives are: 1. They should be presented briefly and concisely 2. They should be presented in logical sequence 3. They should be realistic e. They should be phrased in operational terms i. They should use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated or measured e. They should be static once the study work begins i. For example, a nonprofit community medical center needed to inform a communications campaign that will, in the end, expand their donor base and increase the consistency and dollar value of donations from existing donors.
Having these bullets to guide the process is invaluable and will likely save time over the course of the engagement. There is no better way to ensure that the right questions are being asked and answered.
When should you write a problem statement? There are various situations in which you might have to write a problem statement. In businesses and other organizations, writing a problem statement is an important step in improvement projects. A clearly defined and well-understood problem is crucial to finding and implementing effective solutions. In this case, the problem statement is usually a stand-alone document. In academic research, writing a problem statement can help you contextualize and understand the significance of your research problem. A problem statement can be several paragraphs long and serve as the basis for your research proposal , or it can be condensed into just a few sentences in the introduction of your paper or thesis.
But all problem statements follow a similar process. Step 1: Contextualize the problem The problem statement should frame your research problem in its particular context and give some background on what is already known about it. Practical research problems For practical research, focus on the concrete details of the situation: Where and when does the problem arise? Who does the problem affect? What attempts have been made to solve the problem? Example Voter turnout in region X has been decreasing steadily over the past ten years, in contrast to other areas of the country. According to surveys conducted by organization Y, turnout is lowest among unders and people on low incomes. There have been some effective attempts at engaging these groups in other regions, and in the last two elections parties A and B increased their campaigning efforts in region X, but these interventions have yet to have any significant effect on turnout.
Is the problem limited to a certain time period or geographical area? How has the problem been defined and debated in the scholarly literature? Unders are more likely to engage in freelance, contracted or zero-hour work arrangements instead of traditional full-time jobs. What can proofreading do for your paper? Scribbr editors not only correct grammar and spelling mistakes, but also strengthen your writing by making sure your paper is free of vague language, redundant words and awkward phrasing. See editing example Step 2: Show why it matters The problem statement should also address the relevance of the research: why is it important that the problem is solved?
Practical research problems Practical research is directly relevant to a specific problem that affects an organization, institution, social group, or society more broadly. To make it clear why your research problem matters, you can ask yourself: What will happen if the problem is not solved? Who will feel the consequences? Does the problem have wider relevance e. Example Low voter turnout has been shown to have negative associations with social cohesion and civic engagement, and is becoming an area of increasing concern in many European democracies. When specific groups of citizens lack political representation, they are likely to become more excluded over time, leading to an erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
Addressing this problem will have practical benefits for region X and contribute to understanding of this widespread phenomenon. Theoretical research problems Sometimes theoretical issues have clear practical consequences, but sometimes their relevance is less immediately obvious. To identify why the problem matters, ask: How will resolving the problem advance understanding of the topic? What benefits will it have for future research? Does the problem have direct or indirect consequences for society?
Example In the literature on the gig economy, these new forms of employment are sometimes characterized as a flexible active choice and sometimes as an exploitative last resort. To gain a fuller understanding of why young people engage in the gig economy, in-depth qualitative research is required. Step 3: Set your aims and objectives Finally, the problem statement should frame how you intend to address the problem. Your goal should not be to find a conclusive solution, but to seek out the reasons behind the problem and propose more effective approaches to tackling or understanding it.
The aim is the overall purpose of your research. It is generally written in the infinitive form: The aim of this study is to determine… This project aims to explore… I aim to investigate… The objectives are the concrete steps you will take to achieve the aim: Qualitative methods will be used to identify… I will use surveys to collect… Using statistical analysis, the research will measure… Practical research aims and objectives The aim of this research is to investigate effective engagement strategies to increase voter turnout in region X. It will identify the most significant factors in non-voting through surveys and interviews, and conduct experiments to measure the effectiveness of different strategies.
Qualitative methods will be used to gain in-depth insight into the motivations and perceptions of unders engaged in freelance and zero-hour work across various industries. This data will be contextualized with a review of recent literature on the gig economy and statistical analysis of demographic changes in the workforce.
Dissertation proposals Aims and objectives The primary focus of your research project is usually expressed in terms of aims and objectives. Many students find it difficult to understand the difference between aims and objectives. However, in the academic context there is a clear distinction between these terms. Aims are statements of intent. They are usually written in broad terms. They set out what you hope to achieve at the end of the project. Objectives, on the other hand, should be specific statements that define measurable outcomes, e. When writing your objectives try to use strong positive statements. Strong verbs - collect, construct, classify, develop, devise, measure, produce, revise, select, synthesise Weak verbs - appreciate, consider, enquire, learn, know, understand, be aware of, appreciate, listen, perceive Objectives should also be S. Realistic — do you have the necessary resources to achieve the objective — time, money, skills, etc.
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