Supplementary C

Scope and Delimitation of Research

Good day! Have you thought of your research title already? Are you done writing the statement of
the problem? If so, brace yourself now for the next step in writing your research.

It is very important to set the parameters of your study. That is, what are included and what are not.
This speaks about the scope and delimitation of your research.

In this module, you are expected to indicate the scope and delimitation of research.

Directions: Identify the following parts of a research paper. Write SCOPE or DELIMITATION.

1. The study covers the 13 to 14 years old, Grades 7 and 8 students of Uyong High School.
Scope.
2. The study does not include Grades 7 and 8 students 12 years old below and 15 years old
above of the same school.
Delimitation.
3. The participants in this study are the customers of the restaurant in Legazpi Branch.
Scope
4. The study does not cover customers of the restaurant in other branches such as in Tabaco
Branch and Ligao Branch.
Delimitation
5. The study focuses on Grade 10 students whose parents are both working abroad.
Scope

Directions: Here are the words that you will encounter in this module. On your answer sheet, complete
the table below. Remember that their definition must be in terms of research.

TERMS YOUR DEFINITION DICTIONARY/INTERNET

DEFINITION

1. Scope Boundaries within the research specifies the background of the

project that will be performed. study project. It specifies how
thoroughly the study will
investigate a research question
or the extent to be explored.
2. Delimitation A source of data. Where we look A reference of work. List of the
up for resources and information. words a language that is in
Also a instrument for viewing. alphabetical order and gives their
1
 meaning.

2
 Are your definitions close to the meanings from the dictionary? Remember the
words and their definitions as you will encounter them throughout this module.
Now that you have an idea about scope and delimitation, you are ready for the
initial tasks.

Directions: Read the foregoing articles and work on the tasks that follow.

Article #1
5 Research-Backed Studying Techniques
by Edward Kang

Too often people imagine that long hours of studying are the best path to being a model,
straight-A student. Yet research shows that highly successful students actually spend less time
studying than their peers do –- they just study more effectively.

STUDY LESS, WITH GREATER INTENSITY

In this era of social media and digital distractions, many students –- and adults –- do a lot of
multitasking. But there is no such thing as successful multitasking because much of the time spent is
wasted on context switching, where the brain has to restart and refocus.

Consider the formula “work accomplished = intensity of focus X time spent.” A student who is
studying for AP Biology but also checks his texts and scrolls through Instagram has a low intensity of
focus –- say a 3. Though he spends 3 hours “studying”, his work accomplished is only a 9.

On the other hand, a student who takes steps to focus solely on AP Biology has a high- intensity of
focus –- a 10. Though she spends only an hour studying, she accomplishes more than her distracted
classmate did in 3 hours.

Highly successful students have generally learned to avoid multitasking. Instead of spending a lot of
time doing low-intensity work with numerous distractions, these students work for shorter periods at
higher intensity, without any distractions from email, social media, etc. Their studying is more
effective and leads to greater achievement gains.
INEFFECTIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES

Many students use learning techniques that are time consuming and give the illusion of mastery. They
become familiar with ideas and information in preparation for a test, but forget it a week later because
their learning techniques never led to long-term learning.

Ineffective techniques include:

 Studying for long periods of time

 Studying a single subject for a long period of time and repeating phrases over and over to
memorize them (known as massed practice)
 Reviewing one topic repeatedly before moving onto another topic (blocked practice)
 Reading and rereading a text
 Highlighting or underlining important concepts in a text and then reviewing
 Reviewing notes

5 HIGH-INTENSITY STUDY HABITS

Researchers have found that the following techniques increase sustainable learning and retention
when incorporated in students’ daily study habits. These techniques are difficult and require effort and
they slow down learning. Initially the learning gains seem to be smaller than with some ineffective
practices. However, these techniques lead to long-term mastery.

The book Make It Stick identifies several research-proven studying techniques.

1. Pre-test: When students practice answering questions, even incorrectly, before learning the
content, their future learning is enhanced. Research has shown that pre- testing improves post-
test results more than spending the same amount of time studying.

2. Spaced practice: Spacing out study sessions –- focusing on a topic for a short period on
different days –- has been shown to improve retention and recall more than massed practice.
The book How We Learn explains that spaced practice can feel difficult due to an initial for
getting of knowledge –- reacquiring that knowledge takes effort.

3. Self-quizzing: Testing has a negative connotation in this era of standardized testing, but it is
a form of active retrieval practice. Students can make test questions for themselves as they
learn a new concept, thinking about the types of questions that might be asked on a quiz or
test.

4. Interleaving practice: Students may rely on blocked practice, studying a set of problems
–- such as multiplication problems –- as a group until they feel mastery. A more effective
method of studying is to work on a set of problems that are related but not all of the same
kind –- for example, a set of math word problems that call for
 addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The consecutive problems cannot be solved
with the same strategy. This is more effective than doing one multiplication problem after
another.

5. Paraphrasing and reflecting: Many of us have read a few paragraphs in a textbook only
to realize that we didn’t retain a single concept or key point presents in those paragraphs.
Students may relate what is being learned to prior knowledge, thinking about how they would
explain the content to a 5-year old, and reflecting on and asking questions about the content.

Comprehension Check

Task 1.1

Directions: Answer the following questions about the article.

1. What is the article all about?

Article is about the Effectiveness of Studying techniques and the discussion of
ineffective learning techniques and the 5 high intensity study habits.
2. According to the article, why is there no successful multitasking?
According to the article, there is no successful multitasking because so much time is
lost in multitasking, which requires the brain to restart and to refocus.
3. How important is it to focus and avoid distractions?
It is crucial to focus and avoid distractions because studying is more efficient. It allows
us to better manage our time well that results to making our responsibility easier and
well designed.
4. Which among the ineffective study techniques are you doing?
Most of us are Studying for a long period of time, reviewing notes, highlighting
important concepts and reading and rereading a text.
5. Which among the research-proven study techniques have you been adopting or
are you willing to adopt? Why?
All of them since it allows us to adapt a healthy and efficient way to study. We
believe adapting those will help us to improve better.

Task 1.2

Directions: The article bears the title 5 Research-Backed Studying Techniques. It

mainly focuses on effective studying techniques among students. Does the article
further talk about the following items? Answer with a YES or a NO.

1. Effective study habits

Yes
2. Ineffective learning techniques
Yes
3. Downside of multitasking
Yes
4. Statistics showing effectiveness of certain study habits
No
5. Testimonies of students proving effectiveness of certain study habits
No

In Task 1.2, we have known what were discussed and what were not, in the article. Simply said, we have
known what topics were included and what were excluded. In terms of research, what are the technical
terms for the variables included and for those excluded?

Did you just say Scope and Delimitation? If so, you are correct!
Included = Scope Excluded = Delimitation

This time, try to identify the scope and delimitation from an actual study.

Article #2
Title of the Study: Personality Traits, Emotional Quotient and Resiliency Level of High
School Cyber Bullying Victims: Basis for Life Skills Session Program (Valencia, A.,
2013)

This study was limited to cyber bullying victims, with ages ranging from 11 to 18 years
old and who were enrolled during the school year of 2012-2013.

This study was undertaken from June 2012 to March 2013. The students in this condition
were presented with different issues, but the researcher focused on theory, emotional quotient and
resiliency level. Other aspects of their personality were considered in this study. Thus, the High
School Personality Questionnaire was used as one of the instruments in this study to identify the
fourteen personality traits of the respondents. The BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth
Version (BarOn EQ-iYV) was utilized for the respondents’ level of emotional quotient. More so, the
Resilience Scale for Adolescents was employed to determine the respondents’ resiliency level.

Respondents of this study were victims of cyber bullying who signified to have
experienced three or more of the cyber bullying types and were given consent by their parents to
participate in the study.

Task 2.1 Directions: On your answer sheet, complete the table by indicating the
scope and the delimitation of the study above.
SCOPE DELIMITATION

At this point, you already have an idea about scope and delimitation of research and how to identify
them. Read on to learn more.
 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF RESEARCH

Scope and Delimitation of study are two elements of a research paper that inform the
reader what information is included in the research and explain why the author chose that
information. Although scope and delimitation explain the way a study is limited, this
information adds credibility to research. (Reference. Com, 2017)

1. Scope

The scope of study is a section of a research paper that explains what

information or subject is being analyzed.

If at the beginning of the study, it is already clear that your respondents are the
regular employees who have been working at the agency for at least three years, are
presently connected with the agency, and who have been assigned to at least three
provinces in Central Luzon, then all those who do not meet the above description should
not be part of the study.

Likewise, if it is clear that only selected variables are included, then no other
variables are supposed to be part of the study even if these were included in parallel
studies. You might have avoided other variables for reasons of practicality, interest, or
relativity to the study at hand.

2. Delimitation

The delimitation of the study is the explanation of the scope of the study.
This section allows the writer to explain why certain aspects of a subject were chosen and
why others were excluded. It is also common for a writer to explain the chosen research
method in this section and explain why certain theories were applied to the data.
(Reference.com, 2017)
The Difference Between Limitations and Delimitations
Limitations are influences that the researcher cannot control. They are the
shortcomings, conditions or influences that cannot be controlled by the researcher that place
restrictions on your methodology and conclusions. Any limitations that might influence the results
should be mentioned. (“Develop a Research Proposal - Planning the Methodology- Limitations
and Delimitations,”2017)

The following may be the possible limitations that may arise from the research
design and methodology:

1. Sample size. The research design and methodology will determine whether the research
will have a small or large sample size. The sample size will determine the quality of data
and the relationships that will be identified among the variables.
2. 2. Lack of available and/or reliable data. Missing and unreliable data will limit the
scope of analysis and the ability of the researcher to determine meaningful trends and
relationships among the data.
3. 3. Lack of prior studies. This will limit the effectiveness of the literature review and
may limit the initial understanding of the research problem. This, however, can be a basis
for identifying avenues for future research.
4. 4. Chosen data collection method. Limitations in the data collection instrument may
affect the quality of data collected. Unclear or vague questions in a questionnaire will
result to unclear or erroneous answers from the respondents. The method employed in
data collection may also affect the data, For example, the researcher may have conducted
an interview or survey at a time the respondents may be busy or preoccupied; there may
be a possibility that the respondents may not have accomplished the survey form or
answered the question thoroughly and the responses given may have been vague.
5. Nature of the information collected. Relying on preexisting data may impose limits
on the researcher as he/she can no longer clarify certain data.

Apart from the data and methodology, the characteristics of the researcher and the limits that
he/she experiences in the conduct of the research may also give rise to limitations. These are as
follows:

1. Access. The amount and quality of data will depend on the availability of the researcher
to access people, organizations, libraries, and documents that can provide him/her the best
available data.
2. Time period. The length of time devoted to the study will affect almost all aspects of the
research. It is advisable to select a research problem and design that gives way to a more
manageable time period.
 3. Bias. This refers to a way of viewing certain thing, issue or idea and may be influenced
by the researcher’s background. The researcher, therefore, should be aware of his or her
personal biases and how these affect the conduct of the research. Biases may affect the
way the researcher states and defines the research problem, the selection of research
design and methodology, the variables chosen, data collection methods and the
interpretation of data.

4. Language. This may have an effect on data collection, especially if the researcher is
involved with respondents that speak a variety of languages.

A delimitation addresses how a study will be narrowed in scope, that is, how it is
bounded. This is the place to explain the things that you are not doing and why you have chosen
not to do them – the literature you will not review (and why not), the population you are not
studying (and why not), the methodological procedures you will not use (and why you will not use
them). Limit your delimitations to the things that a reader might reasonably expect you to do but
that you, for clearly explained reasons, have decided not to do. (Siddiqui, 2010)

How do we write the scope and delimitation of study? Take note that there are
several ways of writing the scope and delimitation of your study. One common way
is written for you.

How to Indicate the “Scope and Delimitation of Study”

STEP ONE

Start with any of these sample phrases that express the scope of the study:

1. The coverage of this study….

2. The study consists of….
3. The study covers the…
4. This study is focused on….

STEP TWO

1. Explain what information or subject is being studied or analyzed.

2. Explain the limitations of the research like the sample size, time frame, geographic area,
subjects, objectives, facilities, and the issues to which the research is focused.
STEP THREE

Start with any of these sample phrases that express the delimitation of the study:

The study does not cover the…

The researcher limited this research to…
This study is limited to…

STEP FOUR

Describe the scope of the study.

Explain why definite aspects of a subject were chosen and why others were excluded.
Mention the research method used as well as the certain theories that applied to

the data. 9
Explain why you are delimiting the research to a specific geographic location, age, population
size and other similar considerations.
Identify the constraints or weaknesses of your research which are not within the
control of the researcher.

Do you have an idea now on how you will write your Scope and Delimitation? Before
that, please read some examples of scope and delimitation which were taken from
actual studies.

Scope and Delimitation Examples from Actual Studies

1. Title of the Study: Experiences of Reaction and Coping of Filipino
Fathers and Mothers: During and After a National Disaster (Casal, I.J.,
Chingkoe, J.C., Gonzales, K.J., Tan, M.V., 2015).

The study covers individual experiences and coping of Filipino fathers and mothers. It
will focus on individuals who were affected by natural disasters, specifically those affected by
floods due to typhoons: Ondoy and Habagat, because they believed that these typhoons had the
most significant impact on people’s lives. The severity of the impact of these typhoons was so
tragic that the research participants were able to instinctively recall information and their
experiences that happened during those events

This research focused on the perspective of fathers and mothers. Another limitation of this
research was the area covered wherein the researchers focused only on Filipino participants who
resided in the National Capital Region (NCR) during and after the typhoons struck.
 2. Title of the Study: Predictors of Students’ Performance in Chemistry
Laboratories of Selected Private Schools (Estrella, 2009)

This study was focused on the factors affecting student’s performance in chemistry
laboratory in selected schools in Balanga City for the school year 2008-2009.

In this study, the student’s performance refers to the average grade of the students in their
chemistry laboratory from first to third grading period, Chemistry, the chosen field for the study,
is the science with more abstract theories which must be proven with actual events through
experiments by the students.

The grade point average (GPA) were gathered and tabulated to measure their
performance in the chemistry laboratory.

The study considered the following schools in Balanga City Schools as the research
locale of the investigation: Tomas del Rosario College, Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies,
and Bataan Christian School. This is because these schools belong to the same category as private
institutions.

Specifically, the factors in this research were student-related ones which pertain to the
attitudes of the students in the chemistry laboratory. Teacher-related factors pertain to the
teaching strategies, competencies, and teacher’s attitude in conducting experiments in the
chemistry laboratory. Lastly, laboratory-related factors pertain to the adequacy, availability and
usability of the laboratory equipment and the laboratory manual and facilities

3. Title of the Study: Workplace Ergonomics: Perceptions on

Employees’ Stress Levels and Safety (Lao, 2014)

The focus of this study is on the workplace ergonomics in the corporate office settings.
The study would focus on the relationship of workplace ergonomics and its effects on employees’
stress levels and safety. Moreover, the study would look into the current behavior and approach
on workplace ergonomics that Philippine corporations employ in their work environment. This
study on workplace ergonomics does not encompass benefits received by employees outside of
the said subject matter. In addition, this study does not aim to measure productivity levels of its
respondents.

The participants of this study would be limited to large corporations whose employees
engage in repetitive tasks. The companies involved in this study limit to multinational companies
within the country. The data from the study would come from existing literatures, interviews, and
surveys from company employees. Furthermore, the data results from this study would only be
quantified from the instruments stipulated by the researchers.
Directions: Read the foregoing text from the study of Abasta and Freal (2013). Identify the scope and
delimitation by completing the table. Use your answer sheet.

The study covered the financial lifestyle management of employees at

Central Luzon College of Science and Technology, Olongapo City for the period covering
February 18 to March 11, 2013.

The study investigated on the financial data of the employees’ family which
include the monthly salary and income, assets, capital assets and liabilities. It includes
details of their monthly expenditures such as their household expenditures, living/personal
expenditures, transportation expenditures, children and dependents expenditures and
government taxes paid for the month.

The study also included questions in relation to their spending and saving
practices and the details of their borrowings.

SCOPE DELIMITATION

Directions: The following are possible titles of studies. Write Scope and Delimitation appropriate for
each. Be guided by the rubric on the next page.

1. Reading Comprehension Skills of Grade 10 Students

2. Factors Considered by Students in Choosing a College Course

 Indicators 3 2 1

Clarity Scope and Some parts are not clear or Scope and Delimitation
Delimitation is clear. not explained well. is vague.

Technicality Technical writing is Technical writing is Technical writing is

followed all followed in most parts. followed, but in few
throughout. parts only.

Grammar No grammatical errors 1-3 grammatical errors 4 or more grammatical

were found. were found. errors were found.

REMEMBER:

Scope explains what information or subject is being analyzed.

Delimitation explains why certain aspects of a subject were chosen
by the researcher and why others were excluded.
Limitations are the shortcomings, limitations and influences the
researcher cannot control that place restrictions on
methodology and conclusions.

If you want to learn more about the Scope and Delimitation of

Research, try clicking https://

Now let’s see if you understand the lesson clearly. Please answer the
succeeding tasks. Good luck!

A. Directions: Given the title of your study, identify the scope and delimitation.

Scope:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
 Delimitation:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

B. Directions: Write the Scope and Delimitation of your study on a separate sheet of paper.
Be guided by the rubric used in Task 2.

References

Ristobal, A. P. & Cristobal, M. C. D. (2017). Practical Research for Senior High School.

Quezon City, Manila: & E Publishing, Inc.

Jerusalem, V. L., Garcia, M. D. R., Palencia, J. M. & Palencia, M. M. (2017). Practical

Research 1: Basics of Qualitative Research. Sampaloc, Manila: Fastbooks.

Matira, M. D. (2016). Practical Research for the 21st Century Learners. Sampaloc,

Manila: St. Augustine Publications, Inc.

Prieto, N. G., Naval, V. C., & Carey, T. G. (2017). Practical Research 1. Quezon City,

Metro Manila: Lorimar Publishing, Inc.