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You're ready, you're aimed, and now you have to fire off the objectives. But you're a bit confused. What"s the difference between the two?

An aims-objectives confusion might arise when you are writing thesis proposal and the introductory thesis chapter. It's always an issue in research bids. The what's-the-difference question can have you going around in ever smaller unproductive circles if you can't figure out a way to differentiate between the two things. And the difference is something I've recently been asked about, so I've decided to post something of an answer.

Dictionaries are only vaguely helpful when thinking about aims and objectives. My desk dictionary says that an aim is to do with giving direction. An aim is "something intended or desired to be obtained by one's efforts". On the other hand an objective is to do with achieving an object, it's about actions, "pertaining to that whose delineation is known". Now who actually speaks like this? The fact that these definitions are offered in this very formal language doesn't help clarify matters. But, once past the antiquated expression, you might discern that the difference between the two is somehow related to a hope or ambition (aim) versus a material action (objective). Or we might say - and it is what is commonly said about aims and objectives - the aim is the what of the research, and the objective is the how.

So taking this what-how as a kind of loose and sloppy differentiation between the two, the rough rule of thumb with aims and objectives is generally that:

(1) The aim is about what you hope to do, your overall intention in the project. It signals what and/or where you aspire to be by the end. It's what you want to know. It is the point of doing the research. An aim is therefore generally broad. It is ambitious, but not beyond possibility.

The convention is that an aim is usually written using an infinitive verb - that is, it's a to + action. So aims often start something like.. My aim in this project is ... to map, to develop, to design, to track, to generate, to theorise, to build ... Sometimes in the humanities and social sciences we have aims which attempt to acknowledge the inevitable partiality of what we do, so we aim 'to investigate, to understand, and to explore... ' But lots of project reviewers and supervisors prefer to see something less tentative than this - they want something much less ambivalent, something more like to synthesise, to catalogue, to challenge, to critically interrogate ....

(2) The objectives, and there are usually more than one, are the specific steps you will take to achieve your aim. This is where you make the project tangible by saying how you are going to go about it.

Objectives are often expressed through active sentences. So, objectives often start something like In order to achieve this aim, I will... collect, construct, produce, test, trial, measure, document, pilot, deconstruct, analyse ... Objectives are often presented as a (1) (2) (3) formatted list - this makes visible the sequence of big steps in the project. The list of objectives spells out what you actually and really will do to get to the point of it all.

You have to make the objectives relatively precise. Having a bunch of vague statements isn't very helpful - so 'I will investigate' or 'I will explore' for example aren't particularly useful ways to think about the research objectives. How will you know when an investigation has ended? How will you draw boundaries around an exploration? In thinking about the answer to these questions, you are likely to come up with the actual objectives.

Objectives have to be practical, do-able and achievable. Research reviewers generally look to see if the time and money available for the research will genuinely allow the researcher to achieve their objectives. They also look to see if the objectives are possible, actually research-able.

Because the objectives also act as project milestones, it's helpful to express them as things that are able to be completed - so for example scoping an archive of materials will have an end point which may then lead on to a next stage/objective. Even if objectives are to occur simultaneously, rather than one after the other, it is important to be clear about what the end point of each step/objective will be, and how it will help achieve the aim.
What not to do
It's really helpful to think about what can go wrong with aims and objectives. There are some predictable problems that you want to avoid when writing them. These are some common aims-objectives issues:

* There are too many aims. One or two is usually enough. (I might stretch to three for other people's projects if pushed, but I usually have only one for my own projects.)

* Aims and objectives waffle around, they don't get to the point and the reader doesn't have a clue what is actually intended and will be done - aims and objectives need to be concise and economically expressed.

* Aims and objectives don't connect - the steps that are to be taken don't match up with the overall intention.

* The aims and the objectives are not differentiated, they are basically the same things but said in different words.

* The objectives are a detailed laundry list rather than a set of stages in the research.

* The objectives don't stack up with the research methods - in other words they are either not do-able, or what is to be done won't achieve the desired results.

The final thing to say is that aims and objectives can't be rushed. Because they generate the research questions and underpin the research design, sorting the aims and objectives are a crucial early stage in planning a research project. Aims and objectives are a foundation on which the entire project is constructed, so they need to be sturdy and durable.

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aims and objectives - what's the difference?

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You're ready, you're aimed, and now you have to fire off the objectives. But you're a bit confused. What"s the difference between the two? An aims-objectives confusion might arise when you are writing thesis proposal and the introductory thesis chapter. It's always an issue in research bids.

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You might have observed when you were a little kid; you want to be an astronaut, doctor, teacher or any other successful person. These are the aims of a person's life which he/she want to achieve in the lifetime. The word aim is often misconstrued with objective, as they talk about what an individual or entity may want to achieve. Both are the desired result of the work performed by an individual, however, they entail different concepts. The aim is the general statement of the expected outcome.

In contrast, objectives are the steps taken to accomplish the long-term goals of the company. So, when these terms are used in the right context, then only their correct implication is possible. And, to do so, take a look at the given article to know the difference between aim and objective.

Content: Aim Vs Objective

Comparison Chart

Definition of Aim

In business parlance, a general statement, written in broad terms, explaining what is intended to achieve, is called aim. It is the overall purpose or the desired outcome, of the entity, which indicates what and where you expect to be, at the end. These are the sentences which ascertain the target of the program/project.

Aims act as basic directions while conducting a research or carrying out a project. It can be chunked into various objectives which help in reaching the aim easily. It has a long range perspective which reflects aspirations and ambition of the entity.

Definition of Objective

After the aims are set by the organization, the next step is to formulate objectives. Objectives are concrete targets or goals of the company, that needs to be fulfilled within a time frame and with limited resources. They are used in different context and are in the form of short sentences, explaining what you want actually.

Objectives act as an instruction for the employees of the company, what they need to do, to attain the desired result. They have a short range perspective, i.e. they are small steps taken by the entity to reach the long term aim. The characteristic of objectives are described as SMART+C:

Key Differences Between Aim and Objective

The following points are vital, so far as the difference between aim and objective is concerned:

1. The term aim is described as the ultimate goal, which an individual or the entity strive to achieve. The objective is something a person/entity seeks to achieve, by continuously chasing it.

2. The aim of the entity reflects its long-term outcomes while its objectives indicate the short term targets of the entity.

3. Aim refers to the general direction or intent of an individual/company. On the other hand, the objective is the specific goal of an individual or company.

4. .The aim is related to the company's mission and purpose whereas objectives are concerned with the achievements of the company.

5. Aim answers the question, what is to be achieved? Unlike objective which answers, How it is to be achieved?

6. Aims are not time bound, i.e. there is no time frame within which the aim of the entity must be achieved as it is hard to say accurately, how much time it will take to achieve. On the other hand, objectives are always accompanied with a time frame, within which it must be achieved.

7. Last but not the least difference between these two is on measurability, i.e. objectives are measurable in nature while aims lack measurability.

Conclusion

When it comes to specification, aims are a bit vague while objectives are very specific. Further, the aims and objectives of any entity must be concise and brief. They are prepared in such a way, that they should show a connection between what a company aspires, and how it is going to pursue those aims. There should be no contradiction between these two and they should not repeat each other in different ways. Moreover, they need to be realistic, i.e. the aim and objectives can be achieved within a limited time frame.

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Difference Between Aim and Objective (with Comparison Chart) - Key Differences

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The primary difference between aim and objective is that Aim refers to the general direction or intent of an individual/ company. On the other hand, objective is the specific goal of an individual or company.

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Aims vs Objectives
For every individual or a group to mover forwards and prosper in the field of work or even personal life, it is highly essential and a basic requirement to have clear aims and objectives. Aims and objectives appear to be two very similar words, very often used loosely to represent target or goals but are actually significantly different from each other.

An aim can be defined as the general statements or sentences that identify the target of a program. And an objective is a more specific target set in order to achieve the goal on a larger front. This write up is an attempt to highlight the differences between and mark the areas that distinguish the two terms, particularly to their characteristics and usage.

A major difference between aims and objectives is in terms of specification. An objective is always as specific as it can be, whereas, an aim as compared to objective can be considered as slightly vague. Aims can be considered as a general statement.

Another difference is in reference with a time frame. Any objective, set for a project or a program, is always accompanied by a time frame. This is not the case with aims. Aims do not contain a time frame within which they need to be achieved. For example, for a project, an aim would be something like, increasing the sales of the company from 20% to 40 %. But an objective would be increasing the sales of the company from 20% to 40% in 4 years. Objectives follow the SMART style of management. Here SMART, refers to target being set in the frame work of being specific, measurable, accurate, reasonable and time is followed. An aim does not have or need not follow the frame work mentioned above.

To sum it all up, aims are the goal set and objectives are the measurements which we undertake in order to achieve the aims.

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Aims vs Objectives For every individual or a group to mover forwards and prosper in the field of work or even personal life, it is highly essential and a basic requirement to have clear aims and objectives.

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Discussion and Supporting Materials

Thought starters

1. What is the impact of having students' reflect on the time it takes them to complete tasks?

2. How do the 1, 2, and 3 finger signs help limit class interruptions?

3. Why does the use of a timer help both the teacher and students more so than just saying?

School Details

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Oreland PA 19075

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Teachers

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Strategies to Improve Transitions and Time Management

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Instructional expert Jim Knight observes Wendy Hopf's Language Arts classroom to offer feedback on her management of transitions between tasks, as well as time management. Ms. Hopf involves students' in thinking about how long an activity or task should take and how long it actually takes.