Q: How can I come up with research objectives for my research proposal?

Research objectives summarize the accomplishments a researcher wishes to achieve through the project and provides direction to the study. Basically, the research objectives should lay down the steps, that is, the specific or direct actions that you will take to achieve your study goals. 

To formulate your research objectives, these are the steps you must take:

1. You should first be clear about the research problem you wish to address.

2. Once this is done, you should come up with the aim or goal your research, that is, broadly identify what you wish to achieve through this study.

3. Next, lay down the specific steps or actions that need to be done to achieve this goal. These will form your research objectives.

You will find interesting inputs on how to go about determining the questions that will help you form suitable research objectives in the links below:

• Can you clarify some basic concepts related to the research process?
• How to choose a research question
• How can I choose a suitable research question?
• Finding the right research question - the first step to successful publication