Scope and Delimitation

 Definition / Concept
The scope identifies what topic the researcher intends to cover. The scope names the
information or subject matter that the individual plans to evaluate. However, it is not
possible for the researcher to cover every aspect of the chosen subject. In this case, the
scope might be narrowed down to a select group of species or an evaluation of population
decline over a certain period of time.

Delimitation is the description of the scope of study. It defines what factors the researcher
consciously controls for and why they have been eliminated from the study. It will
explain why definite aspects of a subject were chosen and why others were excluded. It
also mention the research method used as well as the certain theories that applied to the
data.

 The Role of Delimitations

Delimitations are parameters that the researcher makes to narrow his or her scope of
research. Delimitations are a conscious choice to control for certain factors in the study.
Since the study cannot address all relevant elements, delimitations narrow the scope and
purpose to focus on certain aspects. Common delimitations are population or sample size,
the setting in which the study takes place, and the design or setup of the study, along with
an explanation for its structure. The researcher might impose delimitations for practical
reasons, such as lack of time or financial resources to carry out a more thorough
investigation. Delimitations should be stated clearly so that the audience understands why
certain elements were excluded from the study.

 Characteristics
o Area
o Subject / Problem
o Research apparatus, equipment and instrument
o Time frame
o Any limitation in the reference population, sample size

The scope and delimitations should include the following:

2. A brief statement of the general purpose of the study.
3. The subject matter and topics studied and discussed.
4. The locale of the study, where the data were gathered or the entity to which the
data belong.
5. The population or universe from which the respondents were selected. This must
be large enough to make generalizations significant.
6. The period of the study, either months or years, during which the data were
gathered.
7. For each delimiting factor, the discussion on why the researcher made exclusions
and explanation how they might affect the outcome of the research.

 Example
This investigation was conducted to determine the status of the teaching of science in the
high schools of Province A as perceived by the teachers and students in science classes
during the school year 1989-1990. The aspects looked into were the qualifications of
teachers, their methods and strategies, facilities forms of supervisory assistance, problems
and proposed solutions to problems.

General purpose: To determine the status of the teaching of science.

Subject matter: The teaching of science.
Topics (aspects) studied: Qualifications of teachers. Their methods and strategies,
facilities, form of supervisory assistance, problems and proposed solutions to the
problems.
Population or universe: teachers and students
Locale of the study: High schools of province A.
Period of the study: School year 1989-1990
Definition of Terms
Your thesis proposal will likely include terms that are not widely known outside of your
discipline. These terms include particular theoretical constructs, formulas, operational
definitions that differ from colloquial definitions, schools of thought and discipline-
specific acronyms.

 Definition / Concept
An alphabetical list of important terms or acronyms that you define, particularly
ambiguous terms or those used in a special way.

o Includes terms which should be interpreted in a manner unique to your

research
o Includes all the important variables in the study

 Types of Definition
o Conceptual Definition - based on concepts or hypothetic ones which are
usually taken from dictionary, encyclopedia and published journals.
o Operational Definition – based on observable characteristics and how it is
used or formulated in the study.

The definition of terms should include the following:

1. Only terms, words, or phrases which have special or unique meanings in the study
are defined.
2. Terms should be defined operationally, that is how they are used in the study.
3. The researcher may develop his own definition from the characteristics of the
term defined.
4. Definitions may be taken from encyclopedias, books, magazines and newspaper
articles, dictionaries, and other publications but the researcher must acknowledge
his sources.
5. Definitions should be brief, clear, and unequivocal as possible.
6. Acronyms should always be spelled out fully

Include it if your paper uses special terms that are unique to your field of inquiry or that
might not be understood by the general reader.
Complicated and lengthy definition should be included in your appendix.

 Role of Definition of Terms

How you define such terms could considerably affect how the reader understands your
thesis

 Example
o Caramelization. Normally associated with fruits with significant sugar
content. Caramelizing is simply the burning of sugars.
o Diffusion theory. It is the process by which an innovation is adopted by
members of a community.
o Evaporation. A process in which matter is changed from a liquid to a vapor
without its temperature reaching the boiling point.
o Hermeneutic. The development and study of theories of interpretation and
understanding of texts
o Relative Humidity. It is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in the
air to the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature of air.