UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

FACULTY OF ARTS
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

COURSE TITLE: RESEARCH METHODS AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC

STUDIES
OURSE CODE: ENG 805
FIRST SEMESTER 2018/2019
GROUP SEMINAR
LECTURER: PROF.OPE-DAVIES, TUNDE
(OPEIB)
SEMINAR QUESTION: A DISCUSSION ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES TO A RESEARCH WORK

GROUP MEMBERS MATRIC. NUMBERS

1) NWAEFULU, DAVID 189013090

2) ZEKERI, BUKOLA RUTH 189013054

3) SANYAOLU, TEMITOPE 189013017

4) BADEJO, SAMUEL OMOTAYO 101303012

5) BALOGUN, OLUWAPAMILERIN 100303008

6) YAKUB, TAIWO KAREEMAH 120303049

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1.0 Introduction

Research is a careful enquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles, a diligent

investigation to ascertain something. Research in common parlance refers to a search for

knowledge. It is scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. As

a matter of fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. According to Clarke and Clarke,

research is a careful, systematic and objective investigation conducted to obtain valid facts, draw

conclusions and established principles regarding an identifiable problem in some field of

knowledge. To John .W. Best, research is a systematic and objective analysis and recording of

controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, theories

and concepts, resulting in prediction for seeing and possibly ultimate control of events.

In order to get the right solution, clearly defined objectives are very important. A clearly defined

objective directs a researcher in the right direction. They are important features of a good

research study. Without clear objectives, a researcher is aimless and directionless in conducting

the study, and without them no replicable scientific findings can be expected. The success or

failure of any work, idea, goal or project can be better measured with accurate knowledge of its

background. In other words, to discuss how objectives of the study can determine the success or

failure of a research project, there is need to understand the essence of the concept (objectives)

and how it can determine the success or failure of the research work.

1.1 Meaning of Research Objectives

Research objectives are clear, concise, declarative statements, which provide direction to

investigate the variables under the study. They focus on the ways to measure the variables, such

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as to identify or describe... The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved

by the study.

1.2 Characteristics

- Research objectives are concrete statements describing what the research is trying to

achieve.
- A well-known objective will be SMART.
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Attainable
R – Relevant
T – Time-Bound

 Specific, answers the questions, "What is to be done?" "How will you know it is

done?" and describes the results (end product) of the work to be done. The description

is written in such a way that anyone reading the objective will most likely interpret it

the same way. To ensure that an objective is specific is to make sure that the way it is

described is observable. Observable means that somebody can see or hear (physically

observe) someone doing something.

 Measurable, answers the question, "How will you know it meets expectations?" and

defines the objective using assessable terms (quantity, quality, frequency, costs,

deadlines, etc). It refers to the extent to which something can be evaluated against

some standard. An objective with a quantity measurements uses terms of amount,

percentages, etc. A frequency measurement could be daily, weekly, 1 in 3. An

objective with a quality measurement would describe a requirement in terms of

accuracy, format, within university guidelines.

 Achievable, answers the questions, "Can the person do it?" "Can the measurable

objective be achieved by the person?" "Does he/she have the experience, knowledge

or capability of fulfilling the expectation?" It also answers the question "Can it be

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 done giving the time frame, opportunity and resources?" These items should be

included in the SMART objective if they will be a factor in the achievement.

 Relevant, answers the questions, "Should it be done?", "Why?" and "What will be the

impact?" Is the objective aligned with the S/C/D’s implementation plan and the

university’s strategic plan?

 Time-Bound, answers the question, "When will it be done?" It refers to the fact that

an objective has end points and check points built into it. Sometimes a task may only

have an end point or due date. Sometimes that end point or due date is the actual end

of the task, or sometimes the end point of one task is the start point of another.

Sometimes a task has several milestones or check points to help you or others assess

how well something is going before it is finished so that corrections or modifications

can be made as needed to make sure the end result meets expectations.
- Research objective should be RELEVANT, FEASIBLE, LOGICAL, OBSERVABLE,

UNEQUIVOCAL & MEASURABLE.

- Objective is a purpose that can be reasonably achieved within the expected timeframe

and with the available resources.

- The objective of research project summarizes what is to be achieved by the study.
- The research objectives are the specific accomplishments the researcher hopes to achieve

by the study.

1.4 Types of Research Objectives

There are two types of research objectives. They are general objectives and specific

objectives.

1.4.1 General Objectives

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 General objectives are broad goals to be achieved. They state what the researcher expects

to achieve by the study in general terms. The general objective is met through meeting

the specific objectives stated.

1.4.2 Specific Objectives

Specific objectives are short term and narrow in focus. General objectives are broken into

small logically connected parts to form specific objectives. Specific objectives clearly

specify what the researcher will do in the study, where and for what purpose the study is

done.

1.5.1 EXAMPLE

Research title: EFFECTS OF CONCORD ERRORS IN THE ESSAYS OF STUDENTS IN

SELECTED SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KADUNA METROPOLIS

 General Objective:

- To expose the concord errors that students make as they attempt to write essays.

 Specific Objectives:

- To identify the effects of concord errors in the essays of SSII students in Kaduna

metropolis.
- To examine the possible causes of concord errors.
- To show prevalence of concord errors among SSII students of the various schools under

study.
- To highlight the implications of the findings of the study for the teaching of English in

Secondary Schools in particular and improve on the curriculum in general.

1.5.2 Example

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 Research title: A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF

POVERTY ON EDUCATION AMONG SELECTED TOWNS IN

OBAFEMI OWODE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OGUN STATE.

The general purpose or objective of this particular research is to study the effects of poverty on

education among the selected region. This captures the overview of the intended purpose of the

researcher.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

However, setting specific objectives simplifies the above identified general purpose of the

researcher.

Specific objectives for this study can be:

- To assess the effects of poverty on education among…

- To determine the prevalence of poverty among…
- To compare the severity of morning sickness among…
- To identify the relationship of poverty with age or other selected demographic variables.

1.5.3 Example

Research title: A STUDY OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN PRESCHOOLERS’

ACADEMIC WORK IN DANDORA EDUCATIONAL ZONE OF

NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA.

A general/broad objective of this study can be:

To ascertain the role of parental involvement in preschoolers’ academic performance in

preschools in Dandora Educational Zone.

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Specific Objectives

- To determine the relationship between parental participation in preschool functions

and preschooler’s performance.

- To find out the influence of home-tutoring on the academic performance of

preschoolers.

- To establish the role of parents in modeling preschoolers’ desired behavior.

- To find out the effect of arranging for appropriate study time and space on

preschoolers’ performance.

1.5.4 Example

Research title: The Influence of Parental Involvement (and the absence of this) on the

Literacy Development of Upper Primary School Pupils in Ogun State

The general purpose of this study is to assess of the influence of parental involvement (or the

lack of it) on the literacy development of upper primary school pupils in Obafemi Owode, Ogun

State, Nigeria.

The specific objectives of this study will be;

- To identify how the literacy growth of upper primary school pupils can be influenced by

their supportive parents.

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 - To evaluate the extent to which the literacy growth of upper primary school pupils can be

affected by the non-participation of their parents in their academic works. This literacy

growth enco
- mpasses their listening, speaking, reading and writing outcomes.
- To examine some factors that can cause the non-participation of some parents in the

literacy growth of their children or/and factors that can make the involvement passive.
- To determine all the parental involvement activities and identify the effects each has on

the literacy development of upper primary school pupils.

- To analyze the similarities and differences between pupils who enjoy the involvement of

their parents in their literacy pursuits and pupils who lack this.

1.5.5 Example

Research title: An Analysis of Written Concord Errors among Grade 12 First Additional

Language Learners in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South

Africa.

The general objective of this study is to investigate the errors made by Grade 12 English FAL

learners in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province.

The specific objectives of the study are:

- To identify the types of written concord/subject-verb agreement errors which are

committed by Grade 12 English FAL learners in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province,

South Africa.
- To evaluate the causes of these errors among the Grade 12 English FAL learners in

Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

1.6 The Contributions of the Above Research Objectives to their Respective Research Work
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The formulation of the research objectives above helped the researcher in many ways.

Written below are some of these ways:

1.6.1 To stay focused

- These clearly defined research objectives helped the researchers to focus on the study.

- They also helped in narrowing down the research and provided a focal point.

- The formulation of research objectives helped in narrowing down the study to its

essentials.
- They helped the researchers to avoid unnecessary findings, which otherwise lead to

wastage of resources.

1.6.2 To avoid collecting unnecessary data

- The formulation of the research objectives helped the researchers to avoid unnecessary

accumulation of data that were not needed for the chosen problem. For example, when

the researchers were interested in identifying the presence or absence of chosen variables

but not in detailed description, they avoided collection of unwanted information.

1.6.3 Give project work an organized look

- The formulation of the objectives organized the studies into a clearly defined parts or

phases.

- They guided the researchers in the literatures to review, the scope of the study, the choice

of research methodology and in deciding the analytical tools to use in data collection,

analysis, interpretation, and utilization of data.

1.6.4 Give directions

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 A well formulated objective will facilitate the development of research methodology and will

help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation & utilization of data.

1.7 How Research Objectives are Stated

The following guideline must be taken into account while stating the objective.

- The objective should be presented briefly and concisely.

- The objective should cover the different aspects of the problem and its contributing

factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence.

- The objectives should be clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly what

the researcher is going to do, where and for what purpose.

- The objectives are realistic considering the local conditions.
- The objectives use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated.
- The list of action verbs are as follows.

1.8 List of Specific Verbs for Developing Specific Objectives

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1.9 CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, objectives serve as the life – wire of any research project from where it draws
strength in weakness. It is the tool for determining the tool for data collection: quantity and
quality, collation, analysis, choice of methodology as well as literatures to be reviewed. It is a
sure yard – stick for measuring progress, drawing insightful conclusions and making land marks
recommendation. In other words, a well formulated objective leads to the success of the research
work.

References
MAHESWARI, J. (2018). Research Objectives. Linkedin Learning.
https://www.slideshare.net/maheswarijaikumar/research-objectives-108090672
https://hr.wayne.edu/leads/phase1/smart-objectives
https://studymoose.com/meaning-of-research-according-to-different-authors-essay
Ndivhudzannyi, M. (2017).An analysis of written concord errors among grade 12 first
additional language learners in Vhembe district of Limpopo province, South Africa.
University of Venda.
ATINGA, L. (2015). Effects of concord errors in the essays of students in selected senior
secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Badejo, S. (2017). The influence of parental involvement (and the absence of this) on the literacy
development of upper primary school pupils in Ogun state. University of Lagos.

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