Week 7

Research
Proposal
Objectives
Sharpening the Spear – Setting the Objectives of Your
Author

Dr. Samuel Blay Nguah

Published

September 13, 2025

“The hunter who chases two rabbits ends up with none.”

Recap…

Last week, we discovered that the justification is the heartbeat of your proposal; the “so what” that convinces examiners your study is worth their time and yours.

Introduction

If your research proposal were a journey, the objectives would be your GPS. Without them, you risk driving around the Takoradi Market Circle for hours without ever reaching your destination. Objectives tell your examiners, your supervisor, and even your future self precisely what you plan to achieve.

They are the bridge between your rationale (“why this study matters”) and your methodology (“how I will do it”). In other words, the objectives take your grand ideas and translate them into clear, measurable steps. Think of them as your thesis contract with the examiners: once approved, you’ll be judged on whether you fulfilled them, no more, no less.

Why Do Objectives Matter?

Objectives matter because they give structure and focus. Without them, your introduction and justification may sound impressive but vague. With them, your study suddenly looks doable, assessable, and relevant.

In both WACP and GCPS proposals, examiners expect objectives that are:

  1. Clear – No examiner wants to decode your intentions like a crossword puzzle.
  2. Specific – Avoid grand goals like “eradicate malnutrition in Africa.” Focus instead on “assess prevalence of stunting in children under five at XYZ hospital.”
  3. Achievable – Ambition is good, but remember: you are one resident, not WHO.
  4. Relevant – Tie them to your justification and problem statement.
  5. Measurable – Your data must be able to answer them.

General vs. Specific Objectives

Residents often confuse the two, so let’s clear it up.

  • General Objective: The overall aim of the study. It captures the big picture. Think of it as the headline of your research intentions.
  • Specific Objectives: The smaller, precise steps that will help you achieve the general objective. They are like the bullet points under the headline.

Example (Severe malaria in Kumasi):

  1. General Objective: To determine predictors of mortality in children under five with severe malaria in Kumasi, Ghana.
  2. Specific Objectives:
    1. To describe the clinical characteristics of children under five admitted with severe malaria.
    2. To determine the case fatality rate of severe malaria in this population.
    3. To identify clinical and laboratory factors associated with mortality.

Notice how each specific objective is measurable and leads logically to the overall aim.

The SMART Approach

If in doubt, use the SMART checklist:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Residents sometimes skip the “time-bound” part, but it matters. Examiners want assurance that you’re not embarking on a lifelong PhD, but a focused fellowship thesis. A time anchor (e.g., “within a 12-month study period”) reassures them of feasibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Overcrowding: Five or six objectives are too many. Stick to 3–4 specific ones. Otherwise, you risk spreading yourself too thin.
  2. Vagueness: Objectives like “to study malaria in children” are too broad. What about malaria? Incidence? Treatment outcomes? Mortality? Be precise.
  3. Disconnection: Sometimes, residents write objectives that don’t match their methods. If your methods can’t answer it, don’t write it.
  4. Ambition Overload: Remember, you’re not saving the entire health system. Avoid objectives that are unrealistic in scope.

Example Objectives

Topic: Predictors of Mortality in Severe Malaria in Children Under Five Years in Kumasi, Ghana

  • General Objective:
    To determine predictors of mortality among children under five admitted with severe malaria at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

  • Specific Objectives:

    1. To describe demographic and clinical characteristics of children under five admitted with severe malaria.
    2. To determine the proportion of children under five who die from severe malaria during hospitalization.
    3. To identify clinical and laboratory predictors of mortality among these children.

Notice how each objective is precise, measurable, and feasible within the constraints of a fellowship thesis.

Take-Home Message

Clear, well-crafted objectives are the compass of your thesis. They translate your big idea into achievable steps, reassure your examiners, and guide your methods and analysis. Keep them SMART, limit them to a manageable number, and ensure they directly link to your justification. Remember: objectives are not just for the examiners; they’re your personal guardrails against getting lost in the wilderness of data.

Next Week’s Prelude

Now that we’ve set the objectives, it’s time to tackle the cousin that examiners love to scrutinize: “Stating the Hypothesis.” Get ready to learn why sometimes you need one, and sometimes you don’t.

So…write your objectives as if you’re writing a shopping list: short, clear, and realistic. No one goes to Kejetia market with a list that says “buy happiness.” See you next week, and may your objectives never be longer than your methods section!

References

  1. Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady DG, Newman TB. Designing Clinical Research. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013.
  2. Mbuagbaw L, Lawson DO, Puljak L, Allison DB, Thabane L. A tutorial on writing a research proposal. CMAJ. 2020;192(13):E332–E338. doi:10.1503/cmaj.190366
  3. Amoako Johnson F, Agyemang C. Research in Africa: The need for strong local evidence to guide policies. Lancet Glob Health. 2020;8(2):e145–e146. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30547-2