Objective

How it is used

Proposals and introductions often list 'aims and objectives': the aim is the overall purpose, while objectives are concrete steps, often starting with verbs such as identify, compare, measure or evaluate. As an adjective, objective means unbiased.

Example sentences

1. The first objective is to identify the main sources of stress among junior doctors.

2. The study had one general aim and three specific objectives.

Common collocations

• aims and objectives
• research objectives
• specific objective
• achieve an objective

Related terms

• research questionA clear, focused question that a study is designed to answer; it guides the choice of methods, data and analysis.
• research proposalA document that describes a planned study, including its aims, research questions, background, methods, timeline and expected contribution.
• hypothesisA testable statement that predicts a relationship or outcome, which a study then supports or fails to support with evidence.
• rationaleThe reasons that explain why a study is needed or why a particular decision, such as a method or sample, was made.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• objective · Management & Leadership
• objective · Human Resources
• objective · Social Work

More terms: Research Design

• research
• methodology
• qualitative
• quantitative
• sample
• participant
• questionnaire
• case study
• carry out
• validity
• reliability
• mixed methods