What Entails a Successful Research Project - Term Paper Example

The most important success criteria of a research project depend on identifying clear objectives Introduction The undertaking and successful completion of every task requires its proper planning and prior preparation. In the same way, the successful undertaking of any research project requires for the prior identification of the research aims and objectives. Defining the nature of the project requires that one clearly selects the ideas making up the project. This process involves having clearly defined goals and objectives as well as evaluating all possible risks (…..). Objectives, in any given study, act as the main framework for the entire research (Nwane, 2005). This paper will look at the identification of clear objectives as being the most important success criteria in the undertaking of research projects. It will exhaustively focus on objectives and their role in research. The paper will entail a critical literature review on the selected topic and will include a study and analysis of the various works done by other writers with regard to the topic of study. The paper will specially focus on the process of identifying clear objectives, theories related to objective identification in research: this will entail an analysis of the various theories. Research Project and Objectives A research project is an assignment that is systematically undertaken to study a specific topic in depth to increase on knowledge. New projects and innovations are in return made knowledge obtained from research. The main objective of research is to establish facts and come up with feasible means to handle projects that yield positive results. The effectiveness of a project is dependent on results obtained from the research (Straits & Singleton, 1993). Another objective of research projects is to build up on the confidence of project evaluators on the project being handled by enhancing correctness and ensuring that the project being handled is correspondent to the requirements of the project (Scruggs & Mastropieri, 2006). Research projects are bound to attaining certain objectives or goals by the end of the project. A project objective can be defined as a brief description of what should be achieved by the end. To ensure correctness in the research being undertaken there needs to be correctly laid procedures and identification of the project’s objectives. The objectives of a research project summarize what is required to be achieved by the end of the research being undertaken (Kothari, 2009). The general objective of research projects identifies what researchers expect to achieve by the end. In order to come up with effective results the objectives should be broken down onto smaller achievable parts that play a role in achieving the general objective of the project. These small parts of the project are achieved in phases (Babbie & Benaquisto, 2009). The small parts of the general objective are referred to as specific objectives. The specific objectives should procedurally address the various research questions and specify what will be expected by the end of the project. Division of the general project objectives is important in accounting for the use of resources. The small parts of the objectives are later combined to achieve the general objective (Kothari, 2009). Benefits of Research Objectives in Research One main benefit of having clearly set objectives is that researchers are able to organize the project in small phases and small objectives that are easily achievable. This also helps the research to create an effective and effective schedule for the project according to the time available (Babbie & Benaquisto, 2009). Additionally, objectives ensure that the researchers are able to easily identify the project’s requirements therefore; they are able to focus only on the essentials of the project. As another benefit, objectives reduce the wastage of time as a resource on activities that are not necessary in identifying and understanding the requirements of the project. Objectives ensure that the research project only focuses on the necessary requirements in order of priority (Straits & Singleton, 1993). They also allow for the possible analysis of the project based on the time and resources that are used up by the time the project comes to an end. Setting smaller parts of the general objectives helps ensure efficient distribution of time and resources in the project. This can be achieved through ensuring proper utilization and of the data available. Another important advantage of clearly set objective is that due to the division of the general objective into small achievable parts, researchers are able to set objectives that are realistic and easily achievable (Scruggs & Mastropieri, 2006). To achieve the desired results the objectives should be properly stated because during the evaluation of the project, the results will be compared to the objectives that were stated in the beginning of the project. The stated objectives should therefore be stated properly so as to achieve the required results. Objectives in a Research Study Report Project objectives are created before the beginning of the project. In the thesis of the project, objectives first are placed in the introductory section. The objectives are then repeated in the dissertation of the thesis where the problem definition, proposed methods and thesis outline are placed. The objectives are placed on the dissertation section to remind the readers of the purpose of the project. The objectives are then referred to in the conclusion of the thesis, this helps the reader to track their way back to the other sections and the material presented on the thesis. While stating the objectives of the project, it’s important to ensure that the objectives cover all the different aspects of the problem and the factors that contribute to the problem in an efficient and logical sequence. The researchers should also considering that the objectives are clearly phrased in operational terms that clearly specify all the activities that are to be carried out in the project, where the activities are going to be carried out and the purpose for carrying out the activity. It is also important for the researchers to ensure that the set objectives are realistic and easily achievable considering the conditions of the environment and state the objectives using action verbs that can be evaluated such as to determine, to compare etc. If the objectives have not been properly stated, the project cannot be evaluated (Straits & Singleton, 1993). To enhance proper setting of objectives, researchers use the SMART approach as a guide. SMART is a mnemonic guide that broadly conforms to the words; Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-sensitive (Kothari, 2009). According to the smart approach, objectives should be; Specific- the objective should focus on the precise details. It should be specific on the setting and the specific actions that will be implemented to lead to the achievement of the set objective, for example coordination, support and facilitation (Babbie & Benaquisto, 2009). Measurable- The objectives of the project should have quantifiable results and activities. This means involvement of mechanisms for collecting measurement data and ensuring that the collection of these data is feasible (Kothari, 2009). Attainable- The objective of the project should be attainable within the specified time frame and feasible with the available resources within the program’s control and influence Relevant- The project’s objectives should correspond with the overall goals of the project and have an effect on the desired goals. Time sensitive- The objectives of the project should clearly state when the project will be accomplished and a reasonable time frame of the project. Smart objectives can also be used to measure performance because they provide specific information required to attain the expected results (Scruggs & Mastropieri, 2006). Literature Review According to Louis du Toit & Mouton (2012), the formulation of research objectives has to do with the accuracy as well as the reliability of the written research study document through the use of the right resources for data collection and the used the various research instruments to be used. The formulation of good objectives is mainly done to specify what the intended research findings or results. The successful creation of objectives requires that the research problem be first identified and analysed. The objectives act as a guide to providing solutions to the identified research problem as stipulated by (…). The creation of good research objectives calls for the objectives to be both clear and brief to the point. The constructed objectives need to always be relevant to the study topic in question. Haynes (2006) further says that, the formulation of the right objective ensures that the information collected regarding the study topic is correct. As another key to successful objective formulation, the set objectives for any research should always be in line with the set aims of the research and the research material. This ensures that focus is placed on the research purpose and helps in dealing with the long term impacts of the study. With this, therefore, the set objectives should always match with the research expectations. Other than being SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound), research objectives need to demonstrate on how the researcher with review literature, undertake the methodology and construct relevant theories to the study topic. Additionally, they should provide strategy to guide the process of collecting and analysing data. A research can be classified into four main types; descriptive, explanatory, correlational or exploratory research, based on the set objectives. Descriptive research is when the objectives seek to systematically describe a given phenomenon, situation or problem or gives particular information about a certain issue or thing. Exploratory research is done to study a certain phenomena or issue with which there is no information available or where what is available is very little. Correlational research on the other hand, seeks to identify the existing relationship between 2 or even more features of a given phenomenon, while explanatory research further investigates on the reason why, and means through which, a relationship between features of a given phenomenon exist (Farrugia et al., 2010). Many research studies have been found to have descriptive, explanatory and correlational features. A high number of conducted research studies have always been found to entail what is defined as ultimate objectives. These are objectives that explain the expected outcome of the research undertaking or study. A good example as illustrated by Foreit &Fisher (2002) is the case of research studies focusing on HIV and AIDS. In many of these researches, the ultimate or main objective is the prevention of the spread of HIV or to alleviate the effects of AIDS. The authors describe this objective as being overly ambitious and give example s of more appropriate objectives of such study. The formulation of such broad and ambitious objectives has in most cases resulted into research projects whose findings are also unsatisfactory and in a situation whereby, an appropriate and efficient solution to the identified research problem is not obtained. Some of the examples he gives include; providing policy makers and program officers with ample information to help in the improvement of programs related to HIV/AIDS, promoting the growth, sustainability and success of such programs, or formulating policies that are more effective in the reduction of HIV spread (Foreit &Fisher, 2002). Based on personal experience, my research project can be defined as being a success mainly the feedback from my supervisor and the high mark that I was awarded. The study aimed at finding the right sponsorships opportunities for Manchester Giants Basketball Club with the main objectives being to Identify the audience for Manchester Giants games and to generate a great understanding of the team, to Identify what other similar sport clubs have as sponsors, and find similar sponsors for Manchester Giants in Manchester and to Identify firms in the northwest and suggesting a number of firms that will be a great sponsor for the team sense. The formulation of the objectives for this research was a key factor that I had to first of all consider before I could move on to other stages of the research study. The relevance of the objectives to the research topic made it easy for me to search for relevant materials for the literature review section and also helped me in collecting the correct data for the research. The presentation of the findings and the process of analysing the results were also done on the basis of the study objectives. Recommendations and Conclusion It is important for researchers to clearly understand what entails a successful research project. The identification of this will ensure that the project ends up as is planned and that nothing unexpected occurs towards the end. The success criteria of every research project determine how that particular project will be assessed in the end. In this case, therefore, the setting of clear and smart objectives will ensure the successful undertaking and completion of a research study. The formulation of a research objective, as seen above, is the focal point of any research study. A research undertaking will in most cases be unsuccessful if the objectives are not clear, are weak or underdeveloped or are not in line with the research topic or problem. Research objectives act as the skeleton or framework of the entire research project. They act as a guide to the collection of data, the analysis as well as the reporting of the findings processes. The monitoring and evaluation of projects after completion is also done against the objectives. Generally, objectives act as a basis for assessing the failure or success of the project. In this case, the undertaking of a successful research project requires the identification and creation of good and clear objectives. The creation of such objectives should therefore be a key process in the preparation and undertaking of any research project. References Kothari, C. R. (2009). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International. Straits, M. & Singleton, R. (1993). Approaches to social research. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Babbie, R. & Benaquisto, L. (2009). Fundamentals of Social Research. Scarborough, ON: Nelson Education Limited. Scruggs, T. & Mastropieri, A. (2006). Applications of Research Methodology. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing. Nwane, O. (2005). Introduction to Educational Research. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Book. Hanson, B. (2006). Designing, conducting and reporting clinical research. A step by step approach. Injury, 37:583–94. Haynes, R. (2006). Forming research questions and objectives. J Clin Epidemiol., 59:881–6. Farrugia, E., Petrisor, B.,  Farrokhyar, F. & Bhandari, M. (2010). Research questions, hypotheses and objectives. Can J Surg., 53(4): 278–281. Fisher, A. & Foreit, J. (2002). “Designing a Study Objectives and Hypotheses.” Designing HIV/AIDS Intervention Studies: An Operations Research Handbook. Washington, DC: Population Council. Louis du Toit, J. & Mouton, J. (2012). A typology of designs for social research in the built environment. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 16 (2): 125-139. Read More