Objectives, Verbs

APPENDIX F
BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES
A. General Policies Related to Behavioral Objectives

1. Behavioral objectives are defined for each continuing education offering and used as a basis for determining
content and learning activities, and evaluating effectiveness.
2. The objectives indicate the relationship to nursing and/or the bodies of knowledge which contribute to nursing
practice.
3. Objectives are clearly stated, appropriate for the audience, relevant and attainable for the allotted time, observable
and measurable.
4. Behavioral objectives describe what the learner will be able to do after participating in the offering. They will
complete the sentence: "At the completion of this offering, the learners should be able to..."
B. Definitions Related to Behavioral Objectives

1. Behavior--any relevant, visible activity displayed by the learner (action verb).
2. Objective--communication of intent.
3. Learning--a relatively permanent change in behavior.
4. Exit behavior--behavior shown at the end of the learning experience.
5. Conditions--situations, equipment, weather, etc.
6. Criterion--standard or test by which exit behavior will be evaluated.
C. Characteristics of a Behavioral Objective

1. Contains one action verb.
2. Tells about the behavior or performance of learners.
3. Concerns the ends rather than the means--the exit behavior rather than the learning process.
4. Describes the conditions under which the learner will be performing exit behavior.
5. Includes information about the level of performance that will be considered acceptable.
6. Measurable in terms of observable behavior.
D. Suggested verbs in the cognitive domain
Knowledge Define, repeat, record, list, recall, name, underline, identify, recognize
Translate, restate, discuss, describe, explain, express, identify, locate, report,
Comprehension review, tell, conclude, detect, differentiate, select, interpret, estimate, cite
examples of, demonstrate use of
Interpret, apply, employ, use, demonstrate, dramatize, practice, illustrate,
Application
operate, schedule, shop, sketch, develop, predict, generalize, relate
Distinguish, analyze, differentiate, calculate, experiment, test, compare,
Analysis contrast, solve, diagram, inspect, debate, inventory, question, examine,
categorize, criticize
Compose, plan, propose, design, formulate, arrange, assemble, collect,
Synthesis
construct, create, set up, organize, prepare, classify, organize,
Judge, evaluate, rate, compare, value, revise, score, select, choose, assess,
Evaluation estimate, measure, appraise, critique, validate
E. Suggested verbs in the affective domain
Receiving Acknowledge, shares, shows awareness of

Responding Acts, willingly, listens to, practices
Valuing Accepts, acclaims, agrees, cooperates,
Organization Argues, debates, declares, defends with, responds, selects, shows interest
Characterization of Acts consistently, is accountable, stands for, takes a stand, helps, respects,
values by value supports
F. Suggested verbs in the psychomotor domain
Imitation Follows example of, follows lead of

Manipulation Carries out, according to procedure
Precision Demonstrates skill in using, follows procedure, practices
Articulation Carries out, is skillful in using
Naturalization Is competent, is skilled, carries out, uses
Adopted from:
Johnson & Johnson. Assuring Learning with Self-Instructional Packages. SelInstructional Packages, Inc., 1973.
Reilly, Dorothy E. Behavioral Objectives. Evaluation in Nursing. 2nd edition. New York:
Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1980.
VERBS USED TO DESCRIBE BEHAVIORS OF THE COGNITIVE DOMAIN (Bloom’s Taxonomy)
KNOWLEDGE (Recalling facts and information)

Accept Count Draw Enumerate
Identify Indicate Label List
Listen Memorize Name Notice
Point Quote Read Recall
Recite Recognize Record Reiterate
Repeat Reproduce State Test
Trace Underline Write
COMPREHENSION (Simple understanding of information and ability to draw simple conclusions)

Answer Associate Classify Compare
Compile Compute Consult Contrast
Define Discuss Estimate Differentiate
Explain Express Inquire Distinguish
Interpret Locate Predict Participate
Recognize Report Restate Review
Select Tell Translate
APPLICATION (Applying general rules and generalizations to specific problems)

Adopt Apply Calculate Choose Write
Classify Complete Decide Demonstrate
Dramatize Employ Examine Illustrate
Operate Practice Present Schedule
Sketch Solve Use Utilize
ANALYSIS (breaking down concepts into separate elements and identify9ng the relationships among them)
Analyze Appraise Arrange Calculate
Categorize Combine Compare Construct
Contrast Create Criticize Debate
Detect Discover Examine Distinguish
Explain Generalize Infer Experiment
Inspect Interpret Organize Question
Realize Reason Relate Solve
Summarize Support Test
SYNTHESIS (Reassembling elements to create a new idea)

Arrange Assemble Collect Challenge
Construct Create Design Determine
Formulate Group Integrate Manage
Order Organize Originate Plan
Relate Set-up Weigh Transform
EVALUATION (Assessing the value of materials/ideas)

Appraise Assess Choose Assimilate Value
Conclude Critique Establish Determine
Estimate Evaluate Grade Judge
Measure Rank Rate Recommend
Resolve Revise Core Select

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APPENDIX F

A. General Policies Related to Behavioral Objectives

B. Definitions Related to Behavioral Objectives

C. Characteristics of a Behavioral Objective

D. Suggested verbs in the cognitive domain

E. Suggested verbs in the affective domain

Receiving Acknowledge, shares, shows awareness of

F. Suggested verbs in the psychomotor domain

Imitation Follows example of, follows lead of

KNOWLEDGE (Recalling facts and information)

COMPREHENSION (Simple understanding of information and ability to draw simple conclusions)

APPLICATION (Applying general rules and generalizations to specific problems)

SYNTHESIS (Reassembling elements to create a new idea)

EVALUATION (Assessing the value of materials/ideas)

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