Verbs to Use in Writing Objectives: Measureable and Observable
Verbs for Cognitive Domain
Knowledge
Comprehension
Define
Translate
Repeat
Restate
Record
Discuss
List
Describe
Recall
Explain
Name
Express
Underline
Locate
Identify
Report
recognize
Review
Tell
Conclude
Detect
Application
Interpret
Apply
Employ
Use
Demonstrate
Dramatize
Practice
Illustrate
Operate
Schedule
Shop
Sketch
Analysis
Distinguish
Analyze
Calculate
Experiment
Test
Compare
Contrast
Solve
Diagram
Inspect
Debate
Inventory
Synthesis
Compose
Plan
Propose
Design
Formulate
Arrange
Collect
Construct
Create
Set up
Organize
Prepare
Evaluation
Judge
Evaluate
Rate
Compare
Value
Revise
Score
Select
Choose
Assess
Estimate
measure
Predict
Develop
Question
Classify
Appraise
Differentiate
Select
Cite examples of
Generalize
Relate
Examine
Categorize
Critique
Validate
Demonstrate use
Verbs for Affective Domain
Receiving
Responding
Valuing
Organization
Characterization of values by value
Acknowledge
Shares
Acts
Willingly
Accepts
Acclaims
Argues
Debates
Acts consistently
Is accountable
Shows
awareness of
Listens to
Agrees
Declares
Stands for
Practices
Cooperates
Defends with
Responds
Takes a stand
Helps
Selects
Respects
Shows interest
Supports
Verbs for Psychomotor Domain
Imitation
Manipulation
Precision
Articulation
Naturalization
Follows example of
Carries out
Demonstrates
Carries out
Is competent
Follows lead of
According to
Skill in using
Skillful in using
Is skilled
Procedure
Follows
Procedure
Carries out
Practices
Uses
Found at ISNA Appendix G. http://www.indiananurses.org/documents/APPENDICES012210.pdf
Adopted from:
Johnson & Johnson. Assuring Learning with Self-Instructional Packages. Self Instructional Packages, Inc., 1973.
Reilly, Dorothy E. Behavioral Objectives. Evaluation in Nursing. 2nd edition. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1980.