Writing Objectives

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Overview
The scope of your study is determined by what you want to achieve (your objectives) and the types of decisions it needs to help you make. Before you get started it is essential to define your objectives. This is the most important part of the process and will avoid wasting time and effort in later stages. Ask yourself these three questions:

What is the purpose of the study? What information is being sought? How will the information be used?
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General vs. Specific Objectives

Objectives can be general or specific. The general objective of your study states what you expect to achieve in general terms. Specific objectives break down the general objective into smaller, logically connected parts that systematically address the various aspects of the problem. Your specific objectives should specify exactly what you will do in each phase of your study, how, where, when and for what purpose.

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General and specific objectives for a counselling project

A research study designed to assess the accessibility and acceptability of the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Services for HIV infection in kebele X had the following general and specific objectives: General objective: To identify factors that affects the acceptability of VCT services and to assess community attitudes towards comprehensive care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Specific objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the community towards HIV/AIDS and VCT services. To identify barriers and concerns related to VCT and its uptake. To assess the awareness and perception of the study community regarding comprehensive care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

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Quiz
What is the difference between the specific objectives and the general objective of a research project? You can use the example above. Answer Specific objectives are detailed objectives that describe what will be researched during the study, whereas the general objective is a much broader statement about what the study aims to achieve overall.

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Characteristics of a good objectives

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Guidelines in writing objectives

Analyse the aim of the study, the topic and title before formulating the pecific objectives of your study. write down the specific objectives ensuring that they are measurable and if attained they will answer the study questions.

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Guidelines in writing objectives

Answer the questions;

Do the objectives address all parts of research problem? Do objectives measure what is being researched. Are objectives feasible? If too ambitious could the scope of the study be reduced?

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