Formulation of Research Objectives

Dr. Owais Raza Lecturer Community Health Sciences Ziauddin University

Objective
At the end of this session you should be able to:
State the reasons for writing objective for your own research project Define general and specific objectives Define the characteristics of research objectives Prepare research objectives

Objective
At the end of this session you should be able to:
State the reasons for writing objective for your own research project Define the characteristics ofobjectives objectives Define general and specific research Define the characteristics of research objectives Prepare research objectives

Your Road Map !!!

Why Objective
Niyaat or Intention Setting goals Research objectives will summarise what is to be achieved by the study Focus the researcher to their original research query Avoid collection of un necessary data

Why Objective
If the problem identified is low utilization of physiotherapy unit, the objective of the study could be:
To identify the reasons for this low utilization, in order to find solutions.

What objective will do?

What type of data is involved Tells appropriate study design How data will be analyzed, results will be presented
Perception Of Pakistani Physical Therapists About Professional Growth And Development In The Country.
Dr Shahzada Junaid Amin, Senior Physical Therapist/Lecturer, Ghurki Teaching Trust Hospital/Lahore Medical & Dental College,Lahore

Chest physiotherapy for patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a systematic review
Clarice Y. Tang, Nicholas F. Taylor, Felicity C. Blackstock March 2010 (Vol. 96 | No. 1 | Pages 1-13)

Types of objective
General objective
These will define what is expected to be achieved by the study in general terms It translates the broad area of the research

Specific objective
Smaller and logical connected units Focus on: To identify the distribution and pattern of a problem To examine the possible factors that may influence the problem To indicate how the research results will be used

Example
Research problem
Frozen shoulder among long vehicle drivers

General objective
To determine the association of long vehicle driving and frozen shoulder

Example
Specific objective
To determine the prevalence of frozen shoulder among long vehicle drivers To calculate drivers average number of driving hours To determine the association of drivers long hours driving with the frozen shoulder To assess the risk factors associated with frozen shoulder

More about specific objective

The first specific objective usually focuses on quantifying or specifying the problem. Other specific objective should concentrate on other dimension of problem
Contributed factors Consequences of problems

Specific objective can also include certain hypothesis

Long vehicle drivers are more vulnerable for frozen shoulder

How to state your objective?

Coherent and logical sequence
To document consequences of violence against women and compare coping strategies

Clearly phrased in operational terms

To understand the nurses knowledge regarding nail hygiene

Realistic
To reduce corruption up to 10% from Pakistani government by 2015

Use action verb

How to state your objective? S M A R T Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time - bound

Recap
1. To be clearly related to the statement of the problem. 2. To be clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose.

3. To be realistic considering local conditions and available resources.

4. To use specific action verbs (i.e., to determine, to identify, etc.) and to avoid vague non-action verbs (i.e., to study, to appreciate, to understand, etc.)