The general and specific objectives constitute elementary parts of an academic work, such as the final degree projects (TFG), thesis, projects or research carried out in regulated training courses. They are the goals that are set in an investigation.
The general objective is what guides the investigation and usually coincides with the title of the work or thesis. In methodology, it is what you want to achieve, and it is expressed in a sentence that explains and summarizes the purpose of the work. An example of a general objective for an investigation would be: "Analyze air pollution levels in Mexico City to establish environmental protection policies.".
The specific objectives are the steps to follow to achieve the general objective, the various actions and processes that are needed to carry out the investigation and comply with the guidelines. An example of a specific objective in an investigation would be: "Quantify the levels of atmospheric polluting gases in Mexico City (ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide)".
| General objective | Specific goal | |
| Definition | It is the goal of the research, which explains precisely and concisely what you want to achieve. | Detailed goals with procedures to achieve the overall goal. |
| Characteristics | Concrete, feasible, flexible, measurable and universal. | Detailed, hierarchical, precise, temporary. |
| Verbs | Verbs in infinitive cognitive (for example analyze), action (for example investigate) and value (for example evaluate). | In the infinitive, they explain how to do things. Examples: calculate, analyze, identify, display. |
| Structure | What and what for. | Activities, hierarchy. |
| Example | Identify the pathogens that cause pneumonia in 100 patients with COVID-19 at the Jesús Hospital in Mexico City for the production of vaccines. | Determine how many polluting cars exist in Mexico City. |
The general objective is the goal of an investigation, where it is stated concisely, precisely and clearly what you want to achieve, as well as its scope and consequences..
Therefore, it states achievements, never activities or processes. It covers globally everything that is expected from the investigation. Specific or secondary objectives are derived from the general objective. Answer the "What?" Questions or "What for?".
It is usually just one, from which all the work will be developed; however, there are works that can contain two general objectives. The important thing is that for each general objective there are a minimum of three specific objectives.
Its formulation must be done in such a way that there is no room for erroneous interpretations, and to that extent the accuracy of what you want to achieve will be achieved. It is always raised before starting an investigation, and it is in this sense that it constitutes the work guide.
There are three basic elements to the overall goal:
It is stated in general and simple terms what will be done during the investigation, clarifying in advance the intention of the same..
This means that the general objective must indicate if the achievement will be practical, theoretical, statistical, if it will increase knowledge on the subject or if you want to test something specific.
The writing of the general objective should be focused and not drift off the topic. This identifies the approach to the problem, the intention of the research (its purpose), its qualitative or quantitative nature and the delimitation of the topic..
The statement must be clear, avoiding long and elaborate sentences, which tend to create confusion.
This means that it is realistic, that it can be carried out, and for this it will be necessary to take into account all the factors that will intervene in the investigation, such as time, financial and human resources, capacity, perspectives, etc..
If the results suggest a change in focus, the lens can be adapted or modified according to the situation..
This aspect is important, as it will be the only way to check whether the objective was met or not..
It will be universal to the extent that it encompasses the problem and its solution, and is related to the specific objectives.
The verbs used will be in the infinitive ("do", "analyze", "inquire", "prove") and by virtue of what you want to achieve with the research, they may be cognitive, action or value.
They are those that indicate the generation of knowledge. Examples of cognitive verbs are analyze, search, classify, interpret, summarize, emit, establish, compare, check, observe, discriminate, study.
They are the verbs that indicate a more concrete action: apply, build, communicate, design, describe, acquire, experiment, discover, create, coordinate, formulate, plan, investigate, coordinate.
These verbs are evaluate, judge, infer, recognize, etc..
All objectives must start with an infinitive verb. This more precisely defines and delimits the purpose. The verb describes what you want to achieve (remember that the general objective answers the question of what or for what).
Indicated verbs: compare, identify, describe, reflect, apply, diagnose.
After the approach of what you want to achieve, comes the why, that is, the purpose of the objective. They have to be phrases such as "to ...", "in order to ...", "with the object ..." and the like..
In the following examples you can see the commented structure (what and for what):
The specific objectives must be directly related to the general objective, since they are derived from it. They detail the procedures that are needed to achieve it, and serve as a guide to the strategy to be followed..
There may be more than three and it is common for each to refer to one aspect of the overall goal. They answer the question “How?” And establish the method to follow. They represent partial achievements.
As a general rule, specific objectives consist of several elements, which can vary:
The problem that you want to change is included. Answer "what to change".
The social group to whom the research is directed is indicated. Respond to "for whom".
The criteria that will allow to evaluate the degree of success are established. Answer "how much to change" and "how".
It defines the geographical area or the most specific thematic area of the investigation. Respond to "where".
Specifies the time when the general objective would have to be achieved. Respond to "when".
The specific objectives must establish in detail the goals of the research, in order to relate the object of study with the results.
They are proposed in order of importance, and the information provided by the first is the basis for the second, the second for the third, and so on. The fulfillment of each one will lead to the achievement of the general objective.
Like the general objective, the specific ones should be written clearly, precisely and simply. They must be measurable and quantifiable.
The specific objectives must establish the scope in time, defining the period as precisely as possible. They are overcome in stages.
Verbs used in specific objectives must also be in the infinitive. They are related to how to do things, with the methods used.
Thus, some examples of verbs used for specific objectives are calculate, base, analyze, warn, state, specify, enumerate, identify, contrast, detail, distinguish, interpret, justify, show, divide, break down, organize, record, synthesize, summarize, select, suggest, separate, etc..
The activities to be carried out to achieve the general objective are indicated. Define, design, compare, separate, break down are some of the tasks that can be set in specific objectives.
The specific objectives must be arranged in order of importance, since from the first one can advance to the second, and from this to the third, etc..
Investigation project.
Choice of research topic.
Scientific investigation.
Steps of the scientific method.
Objectives of a company.
Research objective.
Research justification.
Justification of a project.
Types of research.
Investigation report.
Scientific article.
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