What to Do When Your Research Objectives Are Too Broad

Research objectives must be clear and concise. Otherwise, the study may lack focus and become unmanageable and unmeasurable. Many researchers, particularly those without a great deal of experience, develop objectives that cover a large number of variables, populations, or research questions.

Short Summary: In order to become attainable, research objectives must be framed in ways that target a specific research problem. They must be specific and use action verbs. Narrowed objectives tend to simplify the selection of the appropriate methodology and the collection of the appropriate data for the given study.

Ways to Identify Broad Research Objectives

Research objectives are broad when they attempt to answer many research questions within a single study. Objectives may also be broad if they contain multiple variables, cover a large population, or cannot be accomplished within the constraints of time and resources.

For instance,

Too broad:

“To analyze the effect of social media on students”

may include research on social media, students’ academic and mental health, communication and social skills, students’ employment, etc.

More shaped:

“To investigate Instagram’s effect on students’ academic performance”

identifies the platform, variable, the relationship, and the target population.

Narrowing Broad Research Objectives

The first step is to determine the specific understanding, measurement, comparison, or explanation that your study is focused on. Once you have done that, you should be prepared to eliminate the rest.

Use these steps:

• Identify the core research problem – What specific issue does your study solve?

• Restrict variables – Focus on the research question variables.

• Determine the population – Describe the subject of your study.

• Consider scope – Allow for time, sample size, technique, and available data.

• Use measurable verbs – Use verbs that describe measurable actions like examine, assess, evaluate, compare, or determine.

A Simple Example

Broad objective:

“To examine how digital technology affects education.”

- Versus –

“To assess the impact of learning tools based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on postgraduate students’ academic engagement.”

The closing of the objective directs the researcher as to how to select variables, formulate research questions and adopt the appropriate research design.

Should You Split One Broad Objective Into Multiple Objectives?

Yes, if objectives include several sequential sub-tasks which cannot be expressed adequately in one objective. Broaden each task to make it measurable, and keep them all related.

Example:

Broad objective:

“To study employee satisfaction, productivity, motivation, workplace communication, and retention.”

It is likely too broad. Rather...

1. To investigate employee satisfaction.

2. To assess the relationship of employee satisfaction to productivity.

3. To analyze the relationship of employee satisfaction to employee retention.

What Should You Check Before Finalizing Your Objectives?

Here's a quick list to check before you send your research proposal or kick off your data collection:

1. Are each of your objectives associated with your research problem?

2. Are they answerable using the methodology you've proposed?

3. Are your variables identified?

4. Is your target population defined?

5. Can you collect the data you will require?

6. Can your objective be measured or assessed?

7. Do your research questions and objectives match?

8. Will you be able to accomplish your objectives within your allocated research time?

This approach is for PhD candidates, research students, MPhil researchers, academics, and others working on developing and refining their research proposals.

It can be used at different stages of the proposal writing process including the articulation of research problems, determination of methodology, drafting of questions within a questionnaire, and planning of a thesis.

A broad research objective is often a good sign that you have identified an important research area. However, it is important to focus on issues, populations, variables, and outcomes that can be measured. A well-defined objective focuses and strengthens the entire research study.

 FAQs:

1. What if my research objectives address too many issues?

Be sure to pinpoint your main research problem and eliminate objectives that do not help you address it. Instead of trying to answer all objectives in one broad objective, break your objectives into a number of smaller, measurable objectives.

2. How many objectives should a research study have?

There’s no right answer to this, but I can give you a range based on my experience. With the methodology, research scope and the problem you’re trying to solve, you can have anywhere between two and six research objectives for your study.

3. Can I change my research objectives after writing my proposal?

As you do your literature review and advance your methodology and understanding of your research problem, you may want to refine your research objectives.