Research Objectives Prepare by :Dr. Amira Yahia

Learning outcomes: by the end of this session the student will be able to: - Define terms related - Identify the type of objectives -Set some examples -Explain characteristics of specific objectives -Identify the action verbs -Describe the comparison between objective,question &hypothesis

Objectives The goals to be achieved by the research project. Why should the Objectives be developed? 1-Focus the study (Narrow it down to essentials) 2- Avoid collection of unnecessary data 3- Organize the study in clearly defined parts

Definitions 1-General objective state what researchers expected to achieve by the study in general term 2- specific objective Measurable, smaller,logically,connected parts of the general objectives

Types: General: ­ Identifies in general terms, what is to be accomplished by the research project. Specific: ­ Identifies in details the specific aims of the research project

Example General: To study the reasons for low utilization of MCH Services in Khartoum State – 2006 Note: Gen. Objective is clearly related to the statement of the problem.

Specific: - -To determine the level of utilization of MCH Services in Khartoum State -To identify whether there are variations in Utilization of MCH Services and - Seasons - Type of clinics

For example: It’s a study about teenage pregnancy termination ( TOPIC) General Objectives To explore to what extent teenage pregnancy termination affects health &community Specific Objective Identify mortality &morbidity of teen age pregnancy

Types of specific objectives 1. Estimation objectives E.g. To determine incidence rate 2. Association objectives Aims at Association between the factor of interest and a particular event

Types of specific objectives- Cont.. Example To identify whether there is Association of low utilization of MCH clinics and mother education 3. Evaluation objectives: To evaluate the effect of an investigation E.g. the effect of H.E. on utilization of MCH services.

Characteristics of specific objectives 1- Simple, clearly stated & covers all the aspects of the problem 2- Measurable - Using action verbs: -e.g to identity, to compare - Avoiding non-action verbs: e.g. to describe, to study, to notice…

Characteristics of specific objectives- Cont. 3 - Attainable: Can be achieved 4- Realistic: - Feasible concerning resources 5- Timely: - To be conducted within the allowed time frame of the study.

Properly formulated specific objectives will help in: ­ 1.Orientation of data collection.Avoid collection of data that are not necessary for solving the identified problems. 2.Selection of the right type of design 3.Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials) 4.Organize the study in clearly defined parts 5.Evaluation of the study.

Examples of action verb - To determine -To compare -To calculate -To describe -To find out -To establish

Avoid use of vague non-action verb such as: -To appreciate -To understand -To study -To believe

Research objectives can be stated as 1- Question 2-Positive sentence 3- Hypothesis (is a predication of a relationship between one or more variables and the problem under study )

Comparison Research objectives Research Question Research Hypothesis To assess students personal hygiene Does school health program increase student’s personal hygiene? Score of personal hygiene will be higher To assess the student’s nutritional status by studying weight and height measurement Does school health program improve student’s nutritional status by studying weight and height measurement? Student’s nutritional status by studying weight and height measurement will be better

Research objectives Research Question Research Hypothesis To measure students hemoglobin What the effect of school health program on student’s hemoglobin? Hemoglobin level of students in the study group will be better To assess students health education knowledge Does school health program increase student’s health education knowledge ? Students in study group will have higher health education knowledge score

Thanks Any Question