The objective (s) of the study was (were) to
The purposes of this study were: 1) to ..................., 2) to
The study aimed at
The study had .................. objectives, which were
The study had .................. objectives: to
This paper will focus on/examine/give an account of ....
The objectives of this research are to determine whether ....
This essay critically examines/discusses/traces ....
The purpose of this paper is to review recent research into the ....
The aim of this paper is to determine/examine ....
The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate ....