How To Write The Dissertation Aims And Objectives?

The aims and objectives of a research paper are considered very important in completing a successful research study. The objectives and aims decided by the researcher help in proving the research study with depth, scope, and direction the research study will take during the process of its completion.  Defying research aims and objectives is essential as it helps the researcher focus on the research topic and clarifies the readers' minds regarding the different aims the research study will achieve. The objectives will help provide information on the process of achieving the objectives. However, many students need help forming aims and objectives while preparing for the research study. Given the importance of aims and objectives in the research paper, this is a significant problem for the students. However, the following article will be beneficial in providing detailed information regarding the different steps involved in writing a dissertation's research aims and objectives.

What are the aims and objectives?

1. Research Aims

The research aims to inform the readers about the main goal or purpose the researcher wants to achieve after completing the study. The research aims to act as the focal point for the research study and helps educate the readers about the primary goal of the research. As a result, the research aims are mentioned in separate headings in the introduction chapter of the dissertation, research study, or thesis. The research aim is generally made with a broad statement about the primary goal of the research study and varies in length, which can be a short sentence to a short paragraph. However, the format of the research aims generally varies from writer to writer; the aim should explain the purpose of the research, what the research will achieve, and how the writer will achieve the aims of the research study.

2. Research Objective

As the research aims help answer the study's aims, research objectives will help in stating how to answer the research aims. The research objectives generally divide the research aim into several different points. Each point of the research objective helps represent a vital part of the research study. As a result, the research objectives are generally written as a number list, with each point receiving a separate chapter in the research thesis or dissertation.

Some researchers use research questions in case of research objectives or sometimes both in a research study. The research questions and objectives provide the same information in different formats.

Difference Between Research Objectives And Research Aim

Some of the significant differences between research objectives and research aims are 

• The research aim provides information regarding the aim of the research study, which it wants to achieve after its completion. The research study provides information regarding the different ways that will used by the researcher to achieve the aim of the research study. 
• The research aim generally helps in highlighting the long-term outcome of the dissertation. However, the research objectives focus on the short-term and immediate outcome of the study. 
• The research aim of a dissertation can be written in a single line or short paragraph in a dissertation. On the other hand, research objectives are generally provided in a numbered list. 

Steps For Writing Research Objectives And Aims

There is no specific rule for writing a research aim and objective in a dissertation, and it generally depends on the approach adopted by the researcher during the dissertation preparation. Sometimes, the professor influences the formation of the research aims and objectives depending on their set preferences. However, some basic rules are followed when writing a research aim and objective.

Research Aim 

The research aim is generally made up of three distinct parts. These are as follows:

• What did the research say?
• How will you conduct the research?
• Why the research is necessary?

One of the most convenient ways to achieve this format is to write each question in a separate line. However, it is up to the writer's preference to combine the question in one line or answer separately. 

The “WHY” in the research study helps to explain the context of the research study. The second question, “WHAT,” helps address the dissertation's aim, and the third question, “HOW,” helps prove the dissertation's objectives, which the researcher will follow in the dissertation. 

Research Objective

The objectives of the dissertation should be made SMART 

• Specific: The processes required in the preparation should be specific and focus on the aim of the dissertation. 
• Measurable: The objectives should be measurable and provide information after achieving the required action. 
• Achievable: It is important to note that the researcher has all the resources and abilities to complete the actions required to complete the dissertation.
• Relevant:  The researcher's actions should help achieve the aim of the dissertation.
• Time-bound: The objectives of the dissertation must be completed in the given time frame. This helps in completing the dissertation in a specific period. 

Common mistakes made by students when writing research aims and objectives:

• Creating a board research aim: It becomes more work for the researcher to achieve it after creating a board research aim.  This type of mistake generally occurs when the research aim for the dissertation is prepared before understanding the research topic. 
• Making ambitious research objectives: The students must set achievable objectives in a realistic world at the given time. It is widespread for students to set ambitious research objectives that use complex data and analysis techniques, making completing research difficult for them. 
• Making repetitive research objectives: Every research objective should have a distinct purpose and measurable outcome. However, students sometimes meet research objectives overlapping in the actual context. This makes it difficult for the students to identify which objectives have been completed and also makes it difficult to estimate the time required to achieve each objective for the preparation of the dissertation. Overlapping objectives also creates challenges to creating a separate chapter in the thesis and makes it difficult for the readers to understand the information provided in the dissertation. 

Conclusion

The following article would have helped you understand the steps required to create practical aims and objectives for a dissertation.