Research objectives are critical as they define the scope and direction of the study. They help in:
1. Guiding the Research Design: Clear objectives determine the study design, such as whether to conduct a case-control study, cohort study, or randomized controlled trial. 2. Defining the Population: Objectives help in identifying the population of interest, which could be based on age, gender, geographical location, or other characteristics. 3. Determining Data Collection Methods: The objectives will influence the types of data to be collected, such as biological samples, questionnaires, or medical records. 4. Establishing Analysis Plans: Objectives guide the statistical methods and analytical approaches to be used in the study.
