How To Write Aims And Objectives For Your Research Project, Dissertation or Thesis

Summary

Dr. Haley Stanton's video emphasizes the importance of aims and objectives in research projects, dissertations, and theses. Aims outline the overall purpose and desired outcomes, while objectives are the specific steps to achieve these goals. Using the example of environmental impacts of aviation, Dr. Stanton illustrates how to set concise, interrelated, realistic, and specific aims and objectives. Tips are provided to avoid vagueness, over-ambition, and repetition, advocating for clear planning at the project's outset.

Takeaways

• 📝 Aims and objectives are crucial for guiding the direction and focus of a research project, dissertation, or thesis.
• 🎯 Aims outline the overall purpose and desired outcomes of the research, emphasizing long-term outcomes without detailing the 'how'.
• 🔍 An example of an aim is to critically assess the collection and disposal of waste products by UK airlines, setting a broad intention for the study.
• 📋 Objectives are the specific steps or tasks needed to achieve the aims, demonstrating the 'how' of the research process.
• 📈 A project should have 2-3 aims and several objectives that are consistent with them, focusing on immediate outcomes and feasibility.
• 🔑 Objectives should be highly focused, feasible, and precisely described, providing clear intentions for approaching the research.
• 🌐 For example, objectives for a project on environmental impacts of aviation might include assessing waste operations at specific airports, investigating waste volumes, and making recommendations for improvement.
• 🚫 Avoid being vague, overly ambitious, or too broad when setting aims and objectives; they should be realistic and achievable within the project's scope.
• 🔄 Be interrelated, with aims defining what is to be achieved and objectives describing the method to achieve those aims.
• 📝 Be specific in your aims and objectives to provide clear indicators for approaching literature, theoretical issues, and data collection.
• 📚 Develop a strategy for data collection and analysis, including a sampling frame and strategy, and address ethical and practical considerations.
• 📈 Spend time at the planning stage of your research project to thoughtfully consider and define your aims and objectives for a well-structured and focused study.

Q & A

What is the importance of writing aims and objectives in a research project?

Aims and objectives are integral to a research project as they inform the reader about the purpose and direction of the study, help to keep the project focused, and provide a framework to demonstrate the achievement of the research goals.

Who is Dr. Haley Stanton and what does she specialize in?

Dr. Haley Stanton is the speaker in the transcript who specializes in providing guidance on writing research projects, dissertations, and theses.

What is the primary purpose of a research aim?

A research aim sets out the overall purpose of the study, providing a broad statement of the desired outcomes and general intentions without detailing the methods.

How are research aims different from research objectives?

Aims are broad statements of the overall purpose and desired outcomes, while objectives are more specific steps or tasks needed to accomplish the aims and answer the research question.

What should a research project typically have in terms of aims and objectives?

A research project should generally have no more than two or three aims, with a number of objectives that are consistent with and subsidiary to these aims.

Can you provide an example of a research aim related to environmental impacts of aviation?

An example of a research aim in this area could be to critically assess the collection and disposal of waste products by UK airlines.

What are some possible objectives for a research project on the environmental impacts of aviation?

Possible objectives could include critically assessing waste operations by airlines at London Heathrow Airport, investigating the volumes and types of materials and their disposal or recovery routes, and making recommendations to improve operational effectiveness and maximize waste recovery opportunities.

Why is it important to be concise and brief when writing aims and objectives?

Being concise and brief ensures clarity and helps the reader quickly understand the intentions and direction of the research without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

What are some tips for writing effective aims and objectives?

Tips include being interrelated, realistic, specific, developing a strategy for data collection and analysis, and addressing ethical and practical problems in research.

What should be avoided when writing aims and objectives?

Vagueness, overly ambitious or broad scope, repetitiveness, and simply listing related topics without thoughtful consideration should be avoided.

Why is it recommended to spend time planning aims and objectives at the beginning of a research project?

Spending time on planning aims and objectives at the beginning helps to set a clear direction for the research, ensuring that the project stays on track and meets its intended goals.