Research Question vs Research Objective

Research Question vs Research Objective

Some teachers confuse these two. They are not the same. They are two ways of saying the same thing. Practice writing both for one study and you will not get it wrong.

The question

A research question is written as a question. It is what the researcher wants to find out. It usually starts with how, what, why, or does.

Examples for a B.Ed. context:

1. How does the use of group work affect participation among Grade 7 students?
2. What effect does ten minutes of silent reading at the start of class have on comprehension?
3. Why do students in my Grade 9 section avoid asking questions in front of the class?
4. Does color-coded marking improve essay revision among Grade 10 students?

The objective

A research objective is written as a statement. It is what the researcher intends to do. It usually starts with to plus a verb (examine, evaluate, investigate, identify, compare).

Matching objectives for the four questions above:

1. To examine the effect of group work on participation among Grade 7 students.
2. To evaluate the effect of ten minutes of silent reading on comprehension.
3. To identify the reasons that Grade 9 students avoid asking questions in class.
4. To investigate whether color-coded marking improves essay revision in Grade 10.

Notice the pattern. Every objective starts with “to” and then a verb that tells the reader exactly what the researcher plans to do.

The short answer

The question asks. The objective states the intent. One in question form. One in statement form. Both go in the proposal.

Flashcard

What is the difference between a research question and a research objective?

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Answer

The question asks; the objective states the intent. A question starts with how, what, why, or does. An objective starts with “to” plus a verb. Both describe the same study.

If you can remember the shape of an objective, you will write one correctly every time.

Flashcard

What form does an objective take?

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Answer

It starts with ’to’ plus a research verb. Common verbs are examine, evaluate, investigate, identify, and compare. The full objective then names the intervention, the outcome, the group, and sometimes the time.