a lecture delivered to Master of Business Management (MBM) students at the Moshi Cooperative University (MoCU), Tanzania

2.  Always remember “SMART” rule.
 Always use “ infinitive action verbs” e.g.
compute, measure, assess, determine,
analyse, compare, identify, evaluate, etc.
 All specific objectives must originate from the
main objectives, do not repeat the main
objective in any case.
 Avoid using “and” in specific objectives.
 Clearly indicate the target population.
 Clearly indicate variables to be investigated
and the relationship between them.

3. This study aims to:-
i. Analyse the strategies used to engage the
community in participatory programmes;
ii. Assess the level of participation of
stakeholders in OSS implementation; and
iii. Examine the nature of community
participation.

4.  Questions be tied to objectives, i.e. first question
for the first objective etc.
 clear: it provides enough specifics that one’s
audience can easily understand its purpose
without needing additional explanation.
 focused: it is narrow enough that it can be
answered thoroughly in the space the writing
task allows.
 concise: it is expressed in the fewest possible
words.
 complex: it is not answerable with a simple “yes”
or “no,” but rather requires synthesis and
analysis of ideas and sources prior to
composition of an answer.
 arguable: its potential answers are open to
debate rather than accepted facts.

5. i. What are the best participatory strategies that
can be used to engage the community in OSS
programmes?
ii. What is the level of stakeholders’ involvement
in OSS implementation?
iii. How are participatory programmes conducted
in OSS activities?
Nb: Always avoid question marking the
objectives.

6.  Refers to the relevance of the study in terms
of academic contributions and practical use
that might be made of the findings.
 It is always states as a suggestion or intended
expectation from the study.
 It is a rationale for the importance of the
study highlighting the contributions of the
research to other researchers, practitioners
and policy makers.
 It is best considered in terms of usage,
benefits or advantages that might begotten of
the findings, recommendations and
conclusions from the study.

7. The intended or expected benefits of usage
should be targeted to:
a. The immediate community, persons or
societies that will be studied or will be
involved in the study.
b. Local community e.g. LGAs
c. National community, groups or persons.
d. International community

8. In writing the significance of the study section
the researcher ought to consider the following:
a. Why and how the study will contribute to
scholarly research and literature.
b. Why and how the study will help to improve
practice.
c. Why and how the study will help to improve
policy (name specific objective link it with a
specific objective of the policy).