Scope and
Delimitation
of the Study
What Is Scope and Delimitation in
Research?
The scope and delimitations of a
thesis, dissertation or research paper
define the topic and boundaries of
the research problem to be
investigated.
The scope details how in-depth your
study is to explore the research
question and the parameters in which
it will operate in relation to the
The delimitations of a study are the
factors and variables not to be included
in the investigation. In other words, they
are the boundaries the researcher sets
in terms of study duration, population
size and type of participants, etc.
Difference Between Delimitations and Limitations
Delimitations refer to the
boundaries of the research
study, based on the
researcher’s decision of what to
include and what to exclude.
They narrow your study to make
it more manageable and
relevant to what you are trying
Limitations relate to the validity and
reliability of the study. They are
characteristics of the research design or
methodology that are out of your control
but influence your research findings.
Because of this, they determine the internal
and external validity of your study and are
considered potential weaknesses.
In other words, limitations are what
the researcher cannot do (elements
outside of their control) and
delimitations are what the researcher
will not do (elements outside of the
boundaries they have set). Both are
important because they help to put
the research findings into context, and
although they explain how the study is
limited, they increase the credibility
and validity of a research project
Guidelines on How to Write a Scope
A good scope statement will answer the following six questions:
Delimitation Scope for Thesis Statement
Why – the general aims and objectives (purpose) of the research.
What – the subject to be investigated, and the included variables.
Where – the location or setting of the study, i.e. where the data will be
gathered and to which entity the data will belong.
When – the timeframe within which the data is to be collected.
Who – the subject matter of the study and the population from which they
will be selected. This population needs to be large enough to be able to
make generalisations.
How – how the research is to be conducted, including a description of the
research design (e.g. whether it is experimental research, qualitative
research or a case study), methodology, research tools and analysis
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techniques.
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To make things as clear as possible, you should
also state why specific variables were omitted from
the research scope, and whether this was because
it was a delimitation or a limitation. You should also
explain why• Discuss
they couldyour not be
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• Discuss the strategies your with
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standard research methods
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• Elaborate using a bulleted • Elaborate using a bulleted
evidence. list. list.
How to Start Writing Your Study Scope
Use the below prompts as an effective
way to start writing your scope:
This study is to focus on…
This study covers the…
This study aims to…
Your reasons should always be
linked back to your research
question, as all delimitations
should result from trying to make
your study more relevant to your
scope. Therefore, the scope and
delimitations are usually
considered together when writing
How to Start Writing Your Study
Delimitations
Use the below prompts as an effective
way to start writing your study
delimitations:
This study does not cover…
This study is limited to…
The following has been excluded
from this study…
Examples of delimitations include:
Resources
research objectives,
research questions,
research variables,
target populations, and
statistical analysis techniques.
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Resources
Examples of limitations include:
• Issues with sample and selection,
• Insufficient sample size, population traits or
specific participants for statistical significance,
• Lack of previous research studies on the topic
which has allowed for further analysis,
• Limitations in the technology/instruments used
to collect your data,
• Limited financial resources and/or funding
constraints.
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