Research Question / Aims / Objectives

The Research Question

A research question is "a question that a research project sets out to answer"

It should:

• Be presented in a single statement
• Be clear and focused and state what the researcher needs to do
• Have appropriate scope; not too broad or too narrow
• Not be a simple yes or no
• Be answerable thoroughly within the given timeframe of the project
• Be analytical rather than descriptive

Aims, Objectives/Deliverables

Aims = what you hope to achieve

• Aims are statements of intent
• They are usually written in broad terms
• They set out what you hope to achieve at the end of the project
• Aims support the research question
• Consider having a key aim to support the research question

Objectives/sub-aims = steps that the researcher will take to achieve the research aims

• Should make research aims more practical and actionable
• Need to be far more specific (higher resolution) and actionable than the research aims

Deliverable = the action(s) you will take in order to achieve the aim

• Deliverables should be specific statements
• Define measurable outcomes
• Define what steps will be taken to achieve the desired outcomes

Milestones = review points in the project where go/no-go decisions can be considered alongside alternative approaches

• A milestone is an event on a schedule which marks the completion of a key activity
• This could be a completion of a work package, a technical stage or a management stage
• There should be fewer milestones than deliverables or Work Packages
• There should be enough milestones at major intervals to gauge whether or not the research plan is proceeding as expected

The aims/objectives and deliverables should link to individual work packages within your project and your project milestones.

It is a good idea to craft your research aims/objectives using the “SMART” criteria. In other words, they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

You should:

• Clearly state what your key aim is. This should be the key purpose of the project and what the team are working to accomplish (the target)
• Consider what sub-aims/objectives should support the key aim. These should be presented in a logical order and form the basis for your project management
• Project aims/objectives should be doable and measurable
• Consider what deliverables you need to complete the aim. Deliverables are steps for each aim and need to be accomplished (including goals/milestones) to complete the aim
• Ensure that deliverables are in a logical order and are discernible and measurable
• Deliverables in the aims should be linked to work packages and outputs
• Research aims and objectives should be written using “SMART” criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound)

Example - Aims/Work Package relationship diagram