Research objectives and hypotheses are two of the most commonly misunderstood elements of a dissertation. Many students use the terms loosely or confuse them with each other — and some dissertations include all three (questions, objectives, and hypotheses) without understanding how they relate. This guide clarifies each concept, explains when to use them, and shows you how to write them correctly.
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Quick Summary: Research objectives are specific, action-oriented statements of what your study will do to answer the research question. Hypotheses are testable predictions about expected relationships between variables, used in quantitative research. Qualitative research uses research questions and objectives — not hypotheses.
What Are Research Objectives?
Research objectives are specific, measurable statements that describe what your study will achieve. They break your research question into concrete tasks and actions. Every objective should directly contribute to answering your main research question.
Key distinction: Your research question asks what you want to know. Your research objectives describe what you will do to find out. Objectives are action-oriented — they always begin with an active verb.
Action Verbs for Research Objectives
| Purpose | Suitable Verbs |
|---|---|
| To describe | To examine, to identify, to describe, to map, to profile |
| To explore | To explore, to investigate, to understand, to gain insight into |
| To measure | To measure, to assess, to quantify, to determine the extent |
| To compare | To compare, to contrast, to evaluate differences between |
| To explain | To explain, to analyse, to determine the relationship between |
| To evaluate | To evaluate, to assess the effectiveness of, to appraise |
How to Write Research Objectives
Good research objectives follow the SMART framework:
Specific
Each objective addresses one specific aspect of the research question. Avoid combining multiple tasks in one objective.
Measurable
You should be able to confirm when the objective has been achieved. Use clear, action-oriented language.
Achievable
Feasible within your timeframe, resources, and access to participants or data.
Relevant
Directly tied to answering your research question. Every objective should have a clear purpose.
Time-bound
Achievable within the scope and timeline of your dissertation project.
Example Set of Objectives
RQ: How does remote working affect wellbeing in UK SME employees?
1. To identify the main wellbeing challenges reported by remote workers in UK SMEs.
2. To examine the coping strategies employed by remote workers.
3. To assess the role of managerial support in mitigating wellbeing challenges.
What Is a Hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. Hypotheses are used in quantitative research — they state what you expect to find before you collect data, and your analysis tests whether the data supports or refutes them.
Qualitative dissertations do not use hypotheses. They use research questions and objectives only.
Types of Hypotheses
H₀ — Null Hypothesis
States that there is no relationship or difference between variables. This is what statistical testing attempts to reject.
Example: "There is no significant relationship between leadership style and employee retention in UK SMEs."
H₁ — Alternative Hypothesis
States that there is a relationship or difference between variables. This is what your study predicts and what you hope to support with data.
Example: "Transformational leadership is positively associated with employee retention in UK SMEs."
Directional vs Non-Directional Hypotheses
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Directional (one-tailed) | Predicts the direction of the relationship (more/less, higher/lower) | "Higher social media use is associated with greater anxiety in adolescents." |
| Non-directional (two-tailed) | Predicts a relationship exists but not its direction | "There is a relationship between social media use and anxiety in adolescents." |
Objectives vs Hypotheses: Which Do You Need?
| Research Approach | Use Research Objectives? | Use Hypotheses? |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative (interviews, thematic analysis) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Quantitative (survey, experiment, statistics) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Mixed methods | ✅ Yes | For quantitative phase only |
| Systematic review | ✅ Yes | Sometimes (if meta-analysis involved) |
Final Thoughts
Research objectives and hypotheses are not interchangeable — they serve different functions and apply to different research approaches. Objectives structure your study's tasks; hypotheses make testable predictions for quantitative research. Getting these right in your introduction and methodology chapters shows your examiner you have a clear command of research design. For expert dissertation support, Academia Helper is ready to help.
