1. Start with the Broad Research Question:
Before diving into objectives, formulate a clear, overarching research question. This question guides your entire research process. For example:
* "What are the factors influencing customer satisfaction with online grocery delivery services?"
2. Break Down the Question into Specific Objectives:
The objectives are the steps you'll take to answer your research question. Each objective should focus on a specific aspect of the question and be independently achievable. For the example above, possible objectives might be:
* Objective 1: To identify the key factors influencing customer satisfaction with online grocery delivery, based on a survey of 200 online grocery shoppers.
* Objective 2: To analyze the relationship between delivery speed and customer satisfaction, using regression analysis on survey data.
* Objective 3: To compare customer satisfaction levels between different online grocery delivery services, using ANOVA analysis.
3. Ensure Your Objectives are SMART:
* Specific: Avoid vague terms. Quantify whenever possible. Instead of "improve customer satisfaction," say "increase customer satisfaction scores by 15%."
* Measurable: Use quantifiable indicators like numbers, percentages, or scales. How will you know if you've achieved the objective?
* Achievable: Your objectives should be realistic and feasible within the scope of your research resources (time, budget, access to data).
* Relevant: Each objective should directly contribute to answering your research question. Avoid objectives that are tangential or irrelevant.
* Time-bound: Set a timeframe for completing each objective. For example, "Complete Objective 1 by [Date]."
4. Use Action Verbs:
Start each objective with a strong action verb that clearly indicates the action you will take. Examples:
* To identify
* To analyze
* To compare
* To determine
* To evaluate
* To investigate
* To assess
* To measure
5. Consider Different Levels of Objectives:
You might have:
* Overall research objective: This is the broadest objective, aligning directly with your research question.
* Specific objectives: These break down the overall objective into manageable tasks.
6. Review and Refine:
Once you've written your objectives, review them carefully. Ensure they are clear, concise, and logically flow from your research question. Seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors to identify any weaknesses.
Example incorporating all elements:
Research Question: How effective is a new teaching method in improving student performance in mathematics?
Overall Research Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the "X" teaching method in improving student mathematics performance.
Specific Objectives:
* Objective 1: To compare the average mathematics test scores of students taught using the "X" method with those taught using the traditional method by the end of the semester (measured by a t-test, n=50 per group).
* Objective 2: To assess student attitudes towards the "X" teaching method using a validated survey instrument by week 6 of the semester (measured by mean score on a 5-point Likert scale).
* Objective 3: To identify specific aspects of the "X" method that students find most beneficial or challenging through qualitative analysis of post-intervention focus group interviews by week 10 (analysed using thematic analysis).
By following these steps, you can write effective research objectives that provide a clear roadmap for your research project and increase your chances of success. Remember that your objectives should be dynamic; they might need adjustments as your research progresses.