Question

2. What are some relevant factors in determining research objectives? T

Answer 1

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.g., achieved within the expected timeframe, achieved within the available resources)

4. They should be phrased in operational terms (i.e., in a way that brings the organization closer to its business objectives)

5. They should use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated or measured (e.g., assess, determine, compare, verify, calculate, describe).

6. They should be static once the study work begins (i.e., objectives should not be moving targets)

Creating good objectives can help organizations realize their business goals. 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. With these goals in mind, the presentation below explores three potential research objectives by demonstrating the following:

What the research must achieve

Example of a weak objective, and why’s it’s weak

Example of a stronger objective