How can you develop original and relevant research objectives?

1 Identify your research topic

The first step is to identify a broad topic that interests you and is relevant to your discipline. You can use various sources to find inspiration, such as academic journals, textbooks, online databases, news articles, or your own professional experience. You should also consider the availability of data, resources, and ethical issues related to your topic. Try to narrow down your topic to a specific area or question that you want to explore in depth.

2 Review the literature

The next step is to review the existing literature on your topic and identify the main theories, methods, findings, and gaps in the knowledge. You can use keywords, citations, and bibliographies to search for relevant sources and organize them into themes or categories. You should critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the previous studies and compare and contrast different perspectives and approaches. This will help you to identify a research problem or question that has not been adequately addressed or answered by the current literature.

3 Define your research problem

The third step is to define your research problem clearly and concisely. A research problem is a specific issue or challenge that you want to address or solve in your study. It should be relevant, significant, and original, meaning that it contributes to the advancement of your field and fills a gap in the existing knowledge. You should also explain why your research problem is important and what are the implications or benefits of solving it.

4 Formulate your research objectives

The fourth step is to formulate your research objectives based on your research problem. Research objectives are the specific goals or outcomes that you want to achieve in your study. They should be SMART, meaning that they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. You should also ensure that your research objectives are aligned with your research question, hypothesis, and methodology. You can use verbs such as analyze, compare, evaluate, design, test, or develop to express your research objectives.

5 Refine and revise your research objectives

The final step is to refine and revise your research objectives as you progress with your research. You may need to modify or adjust your research objectives based on new findings, feedback, or challenges that you encounter during your study. You should also check that your research objectives are consistent, coherent, and realistic, and that they reflect the scope and limitations of your study. You should also communicate your research objectives clearly and effectively to your supervisors, peers, and stakeholders.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?