Setting research objectives. Quantitative Research Methods 101
- 1. Research problem/Topic Research Question Research Objectives Formulating Research Objectives
- 2. Session Outlines Importance of research objectives Criteria for good research objectives How to formulate general and specific objectives
- 3. Importance of research objectives
- 4. Importance of research objectives • Research is an organized investigation of a problem where an investigator attempts to gain solution to a problem • In order to get the right solution a clearly defined objectives are very important. • A clearly defined objective directs a researcher in the right direction. • A clearly defined objectives are important feature of a good research study. • Without focused objectives, no replicable scientific findings can • be expected.
- 5. Definition ? A research objective is a clear, concise, declarative statement, which provides direction to investigate the variables under the study.
- 6. 6 Criteria of good research objective Objectives must be SMART Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Time-bound
- 7. Specific: Objectives should provide the “who” and “what” of program activities. Use only one action verb since objectives with more than one verb imply that more than one activity or behavior is being measured. Avoid verbs that may have vague meanings to describe intended outcomes (e.g., “understand” or “know”) since it may prove difficult to measure them. Instead, use verbs that document action (e.g., “At the end of the session, the students will list three concerns...”) Remember, the greater the specificity, the greater the measurability.
- 8. Measurable: The focus is on “how much” change is expected. Objectives should quantify the amount of change expected. It is impossible to determine whether objectives have been met unless they can be measured. The objective provides a reference point from which a change in the target population can clearly be measured.
- 9. Achievable: Objectives should be attainable within a given time frame and with available program resources.
- 10. Realistic: Objectives are most useful when they accurately address the scope of the problem and programmatic steps that can be implemented within a specific time frame. Objectives that do not directly relate to the program goal will not help toward achieving the goal.
- 11. Time-phased: Objectives should provide a time frame indicating when the objective will be measured or a time by which the objective will be met. Including a time frame in the objectives helps in planning and evaluating the program.
- 13. Practice SMART?
- 14. SMART? 90% of registrars will participate in Research Methodology workshops NOT Specific :BY whom ? WHO will participate ? Not time bound: WHEN
- 15. SMART? 90% of All R3 and R4 SMSBs registrars will participate in Research Methodology workshops delivered by SMSB by December 2020
- 16. SMART? PCR for SARS-COV-2 will be done to confirm diagnosis of COVID-19 infection NOT Specific :BY whom ? WHO will participate ? Not time bound: WHEN
- 17. SMART? Rapid response teams will take sample from All patients suspected to have COVID-19 infection according to Sudan national protocol , and will be tested by PCR for SARS-COV- 2 to confirm the diagnosis at the national reference laboratory within 48 hours from reporting
- 19. 19 General objective: Should be clearly related to the statement of the problem Summarizes what is to be achieved by the study
- 20. General Objective To Determine the association between nutritional knowledge and the nutritional status of pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Khartoum state
- 21. Specific objectives Logically connected parts of the general objective Focus the study on the essentials Direct the design of investigation Orient collection, analysis & interpretation of data
- 22. Specific objectives 1.To assess the knowledge level among ANC attendees on the recommended nutritional practices during pregnancy 2.To assess the nutritional status of pregnant women attending ANC 3.To analyse the statistical association between nutritional knowledge level and nutritional status in pregnant women attending ANC
- 23. 23 Action-verbs Vs non-action verbs Action-verbs To determine To compare To verify To calculate To describe To asses To explore To test To establish To identify Non-action verbs To appreciate To understand To show To share To believe to study
- 24. 24 Types of objectives 1. Estimation objectives • Estimates magnitude of an event 2. Association objectives • Analyses factors associated with an event 3. Evaluation objectives • Evaluates associations
- 25. General Objectives To Determine the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandamic on Doctors who were working in hospitals during the pandamic Sudan 2020
- 26. Specific Objectives To Estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among Doctors who were working in hospitals during the pandamic in Sudan 2020 To identify predictors of depression and anxiety among Doctors who were working in hospitals during the pandamic in Sudan 2020 To Evaluate the impact of psychosocial support program provided by the ministry of health , on preventing development of depression and anxiety .
- 27. Practice time
- 28. Research problem/Topic Research Question Research Objectives Formulate your general and specific objectives Practice time