"Qual é o propósito da pesquisa?"

Translation: What is the purpose of the research?

[Floysio]

"What is the goal of the research?" should be accepted, shouldn't it?

[lahskz]

No. "What's the goal of the research" = "Qual o objetivo da pesquisa?"

[ka7th]

What is the intention of the research? should be acceptable

[deactivated user]

DL's hints are deceptive. I think that proposito has to do with "de proposito" meaning "intentionally".

[Danmoller]

Besides that expression, "propósito" is perfect here.

[KemotS]

Can following nouns: "motivo, objetivo, razão" be used instead of propósito here?

[deactivated user]

Concordo...agora!

[lugosky]

Purpose and intention are two different things.

[flemmilu]

Surely objective and purpose is the same!?