Clarity: Research objectives should be clearly defined and easy to understand. One should ensure
there is no space for ambiguity or misinterpretation.Specificity: Objectives should be specific and narrowly focused on the aspects of the research topic that the study intends to investigate. They should answer the question of “what” or “which” rather than “how” or “why.”
Measurability: Research objectives should be formulated in a way that allows for measurement and evaluation. This means that there should be a way to determine whether the objectives have been achieved or not.
Relevance: Objectives should be relevant to the research topic and align with the overall research question or hypothesis. They should address important aspects of the subject matter.
Realistic: Objectives should be attainable within the constraints of the study, including time, resources, and feasibility.
Time-bound: Research objectives may have associated timelines or deadlines to indicate when the research aims should be accomplished.
Research objectives help researchers stay focused on the purpose of their study and guide the development of research methods, data collection, and analysis. They also serve as a basis for evaluating the success of the research once it’s completed. In the context of a research project, research objectives typically follow the formulation of a research question or hypothesis and serve as a roadmap for conducting the study.