Introduction to Objectives

In this video, the speaker explains the concepts of specific and general objectives, their characteristics, and provides several examples.

Objectives in Academic Work

• General objectives and specific objectives are essential components of academic work such as research papers, theses, and projects.

• General objectives guide the overall research direction and often align with the title of the work.

• Specific objectives outline the steps needed to achieve the general objective.

Characteristics of General Objectives

• The general objective is a concise statement that summarizes the purpose of the research.

• It sets out what will be achieved and its scope.

• Examples of general objectives include analyzing air pollution levels in Mexico City to establish environmental protection policies.

Characteristics of Specific Objectives

• Specific objectives are actionable steps that contribute to achieving the general objective.

• They specify actions, processes, or measurements required for conducting research.

• An example of a specific objective would be quantifying levels of atmospheric pollutants in Mexico City (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide).

Elements of General Objectives

• There are three key elements in a general objective:

• Explanation of the research process

• Development of knowledge

• Expression of the research focus

Structure and Formulation Guidelines for General Objectives

• General objectives should be clear and avoid ambiguity.

• They should be feasible considering factors like time, resources, and capacity.

• Flexibility is important if adjustments are needed based on results or changing circumstances.

• Measurability ensures that progress can be assessed.

Verbs Used in General Objectives

• Verbs used in general objectives can be cognitive (e.g., analyze, interpret) or action-oriented (e.g., design, describe).

Structure and Formulation Guidelines for General Objectives

• All objectives should start with an infinitive verb to clearly state the purpose.

• The objective should describe what will be achieved and why.

• Examples of general objectives are provided, demonstrating the structure and purpose.

Conclusion

• General objectives provide a clear direction for research, while specific objectives outline the necessary steps to achieve them.

• Well-formulated objectives are concrete, feasible, flexible, measurable, and related to the research focus.

Examples of General Objectives

This section provides examples of well-structured general objectives.

Examples of General Objectives

1. Analyzing changes in consumer behavior in the video game industry from 2010 to 2020 in Mexico to detect signs of addiction.

2. Identifying pathogens causing pneumonia in 100 COVID-19 patients at Jesus Hospital in Mexico City for vaccine development.

3. Analyzing Simone de Beauvoir's diaries to establish their influence on her fictional works.

4. Investigating the correlation between increased youth suicide rates in London and the rise of social media usage among teenagers.

5. Analyzing air pollution levels in Mexico City to establish environmental protection policies.

Conclusion

• The examples demonstrate how general objectives can be formulated for different research topics and purposes.

Objectives in Research

This section discusses the elements and characteristics of research objectives.

Elements of Research Objectives

• Research objectives consist of various elements that may vary depending on the situation.

• These elements include the problem to be addressed, the target population, and the criteria for measuring change.

• The problem statement identifies what needs to be changed.

• The target population specifies the social group being studied.

• The criteria for measuring change establish how success will be evaluated.

Characteristics of Specific Objectives

• Specific objectives should clearly and precisely state the goals of the research.

• They should be measurable and quantifiable.

• They should have a defined time frame indicating when they need to be achieved.

• Verbs used in specific objectives should be in infinitive form and relate to how things will be done or methods used.

Structure and Hierarchy of Specific Objectives

• Specific objectives should be organized hierarchically by importance.

• Each objective builds upon the information provided by the previous one.

• The fulfillment of each objective contributes to achieving the overall goal.

Examples of Specific Objectives

1. If the general objective is to study the impact of Instagram on restaurant consumption in Mexico City from 2018 to 2020:

• Determine how many restaurants have an Instagram account.

• Analyze if these restaurants increased their sales during the specified period.

• Quantify user views on these accounts.

• Compare virtual views with actual restaurant consumption.

2. If the general objective is to analyze Louis Villoro's work to identify urban elements in his novels:

• Organize Villoro's novelistic corpus.

• Determine theoretical frameworks related to urban elements.

• Identify images, characters, and settings that represent urban elements in his texts.

3. If the general objective is to analyze blood samples from 100 patients who recovered from severe COVID-19 symptoms at a hospital in Mexico City to develop a vaccine:

• Select 100 patients who have overcome the disease.

• Collect and analyze samples using microscopy and laboratory tests.

• Detect potential agents that controlled the virus in each sample.

• Compare and identify similar agents among the samples.

4. If the general objective is to analyze air pollution levels in Mexico City for environmental protection policies:

• Determine the number of polluting vehicles in the city.

• Analyze which types of vehicles contribute most to pollution.

• Quantify atmospheric pollutant levels such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide.