Guide
Research objectives that connect to your methods.
Strong objectives sit between your problem statement and your methods. This guide shows you how to write them: with worked examples and a pattern you can re-use.
The pattern
Each specific objective should follow this shape: action verb + variable/outcome + population + setting.
Worked example
General: To investigate factors influencing antenatal care attendance among pregnant women in Mukono District.
- Determine the proportion of pregnant women who attend ≥4 antenatal visits.
- Assess the association between distance to facility and ANC attendance.
- Describe women's reasons for delayed first ANC visit.
Common mistakes
- Verbs that cannot be measured (understand, explore, look into).
- Objectives that ask for solutions rather than evidence.
- Mismatch between objectives, methods and analysis plan.
Frequently asked
Questions researchers ask
- What is the difference between a general and specific objective?
- The general objective states the overall aim of your study. Specific objectives break that aim into concrete, measurable sub-questions that your methods will answer.
- How many objectives should I have?
- Most postgraduate studies have one general objective and three to four specific objectives. More than five usually means your scope is too wide.
- Should objectives use action verbs?
- Yes. Use verbs like assess, determine, compare, describe and identify: not vague verbs like understand or explore.
- Do research questions and objectives need to match?
- Yes. Each specific objective should have a matching research question, and ideally a matching analysis in your data analysis plan.
- How do I know if my objectives are measurable?
- If you cannot describe how you would collect data that answers it, the objective is not yet measurable. Tighten the verb and the outcome.
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