Goals and Objectives: Definitions and Frameworks

What is it about?

This paper reports a thematic synthesis of definitions of the four terms related to the goal concept, including: 'goal', 'aim', 'objective' and 'target', as published in health and development literature. It is an attempt to harmonise the different definitions in literature as a resolution of the universal terminological confusion of the meanings of these terms used interchangeably like synonyms in academic articles. The author proposes seven themes to structurally differentiate them, and a conceptual framework each for writing statements of aims and objectives.

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Why is it important?

This paper addresses the long-standing problem of the confusion surround the definition and application of these goal terms. A uniform understanding of these terms as separate entities of the goal concept, rather than synonyms will enable an appropriate research and effective application to goal formulation and intervention planning in different work sectors.

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