12

Practical
Research 2
(Quantitative Research)

Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Scope, Limitations and
Delimitations of Research

Department of Education • Republic of the Philippines

Practical Research 2 – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 5: Scope, Limitations and Delimitations of Research
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Schools Division Office – Malabon City:

Dr. Mauro C. De Gulan, SDS
Dr. Cynthia D. Ayles, ASDS

DEVELOPMENT TEAM OF THE MODULE

Author: MR. LOWELL G. ALFONSO

Editor: MR. EDMUN T. ANDRADE
Reviewers:
Illustrator:
Layout Artist:
Management Team:
DR. JOSEFINA M. PABLO, CID Chief
DR. MANOLO C. DAVANTES, EPS Science
DALISAY E. ESGUERRA, EPS LRMS
ANA LISA M. MESINA, PDO II, LRMS

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Department of Education: Schools Division Office – Malabon City

Office Address: Maya-Maya St., Longos, Malabon City

Telefax: ____________________________________________
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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of Practical Research 2 (Quantitative Research). The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them
can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module consists of one lesson, namely:

• Lesson 1 – Identifying the Scope, Limitation and Delimitation of the Study

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. define what a research scope is;
2. differentiate a limitation from a delimitation;
3. identify whether a statement shows a limitation or a delimitation;
4. use the scope and limitation of the study to determine or predict the
background of the research;
5. use the delimitation of the study to determine how narrow a research study
is; and,
6. identify the potential weaknesses of a research study using its delimitations.
 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. These research statements aim to narrow the currency or coverage of a study.

A. Scope C. Delimitation
B. Limitation D. Significance

2. These research statements explain the extent to which the research area will
be explored in the work and specifies the parameters within which the study
will be operating.

A. Scope C. Delimitation
B. Limitation D. Significance

3. These research statements aim to identify potential weaknesses of the study.

A. Scope C. Delimitation
B. Limitation D. Significance

4. Which of the following is NOT a possible methodical limitation?

A. Sample Size C. Lack of Prior Studies

B. Negative Results D. Self-Reported Data

5. Which of the following requires appropriateness when discussing limitations

of the research?

A. describing each limitation in detailed but concise terms

B. providing the reasons why each limitation could not be
overcome using the method(s) chosen to gather the data
C. assessing the impact of each limitation in relation to the overall
findings and conclusions of the study
D. describing how the limitations could point to the need for
further research
 Lesson Identifying the Scope,
1 Limitations and
Delimitations of the Study

K
nown to all researchers, once research problem and questions are set, the
researcher has to determine the currency of his study and what restrictions
and limits his study would have. Through what we call scope, limitation
and delimitation, a researcher can possibly find out what causes this limit to exist,
how narrow his research will be and how other interested researchers design their
related study considering the restrictions the previous research has.

In our illustration, the study is about projecting

the population dynamics of phytoplankton in the
said reservoir. It only covers the time period from
January to June of the year 1969.

Do the same apply to other reservoirs? Do the

same trend apply to the other time periods? Do the
same trend apply to the other years?

Fig. 1. The projection of phytoplankton population dynamics in

King George VI reservoir from January to June of 1969. (Steel,
2004).

Activity No. 1: Knowing Your Promos

Task: Assume that you are a customer in these boutique

stores. As part of marketing, they have different promos
for customers to be attracted at. Determine which is the
best store where you should go. Justify your answer.

Lowell’s
Ivan’s Boutique Jeng’s Boutique Maro’s Boutique
Boutique
5% discount to all Free delivery for all Freebies to all items
Buy One Take One to
selected items except items minimum worth minimum worth of
all items except pants
underwear of P500.00 P200.00

1. You want to buy as much as many underwear but you only have P300.00.
___________________________________________________________________________
2. You want to buy t-shirts with P1000.00 but you don’t want to go outside.
___________________________________________________________________________
3. You want to buy a P100.00-worth bangles but you only have P95.00.
___________________________________________________________________________
Questions:

4. Which of these boutiques do not give promos for underwear?

___________________________________________________________________________
5. Which of these boutiques give freebies for items which cost P150.00?
___________________________________________________________________________
 What’s In

Scope, limitations and delimitations are terms that address the details and
background of the research project. The term scope refers to the problem or issue
that the research wants to study with the project. Limitation is the term used for
constraints that impact the researcher’s ability to effectively study the scope of the
project. On the other hand, delimitation is the term used for describing something
that can narrow the scope of the study.
In this module, you will understand how these three important ideas help in
identifying the background construct of a research study.

What’s New

Nature of Scope, Limitation and Delimitation of a Study

In conducting researches, one has to bear in mind the scope, limitation and
delimitation of the study. Scope of a study explains the extent to which the research
area will be explored in the work and specifies the parameters within which the study
will be operating. What aims the scope to be narrowed is delimitation. Limitation
aims to identify the potential weaknesses or hindrances of the study.
In writing proposals, researchers may include them in a separate section. They
also may separate them into subsections, one on scope, one on limitations and one
for delimitations. However, in usual practice, scope and limitations are written in
prior parts of the study while delimitations are stated implicitly in the methodology.
Example:
1. This study covers the perception of residents towards the approval of Anti-
Terror Bill. The study employs purposive sampling procedure for data
gathering in the CaMaNaVa area.

The part perception of residents towards the approval of Anti-Terror Bill is

the scope of the study. The part CaMaNaVa area, where the setting of the
study is stated, is a delimitation of the (scope) study. This is a delimitation
since it narrows the scope of the study to a confined area or setting. The
part employs purposive sampling procedure is a limitation of the study.
This is a limitation of the study since it can serve as a potential weakness
of the study due to the employment of a certain sampling procedure
(methodical).

2. Using three (3) replicates for each experimental group, this investigatory
project aims to identify whether Bambusa ventricosa leaves extract can
inhibit the growth of septicemia-inducing pathogens, which in the project,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
 The part whether Bambusa ventricosa leaves extract can inhibit the growth
of septicemia-inducing pathogens is the scope of the study. The part
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, where the subject of the study is stated, is a
delimitation of the (scope) study. This is a delimitation since it narrows
the scope of the study to a specific subject of the experiment or study. The
part using three (3) replicates for each experimental group is a limitation of
the study. This is a limitation of the study since it can serve as a potential
weakness of the study due to the number of replicates (samples) provided
(research design).

The statement of limitation is vital in doing research since potential weaknesses of

the study must be identified and must be recognized by the researcher and the
reader. If possible, the researcher must try his best to minimize such limitations so
that while delimitations narrow the scope, the degree at which the research or the
study becomes weak is lowered.
Importance and Sources of Limitations
The following are the importance of stating the limitations of the study.
1. Acknowledging the study’s limitations is useful as these weaknesses
cannot be pointed (or graded) against the researcher. This gives the idea
that, as a researcher, you did not just ignore these limitations but instead,
recognized them.
2. Acknowledgement of the study’s limitation may open gates to make
suggestions for future researches. It is a good point to connect the limitations
of the study to suggestions for further research. In doing this, explain the ways
in which these unanswered questions may become more focused because of
your study.
3. Acknowledging the study’s limitations also provides you with an
opportunity. A key objective of the research process is not only discovering
new knowledge but also to confront assumptions and explore what we don’t
know.
4. Claiming limitations is a subjective process because you must evaluate
the impact of those limitations. Don’t just list key weaknesses and the
magnitude of these limitations. To do so diminishes the validity of your research
because it leaves the reader wondering whether, or in what ways, limitations(s)
in your study may have impacted the findings and conclusions.

It is also an advantage for researchers to determine the possible sources of

limitations. Sources of limitations can be of two (2) types: methodological or
personal.

Methodological sources include sample size, lack of prior research studies on the
topic, sampling technique, research design, selection (qualification) of participants,
self-reported data and even validation of research instruments.

Access, longitudinal effects, cultural, societal, economic or emotional bias, fluency

in a language and any related facets to the researcher himself are all included in
personal sources.

Note to Recall: Even though stating limitations is allowed, it is incorrect to

inflate the importance of the findings because of these
limitations.
 Activity No. 2: Sky’s the Limit

Task: Below are two skies stating the possible sources of

limitations. Classify the type of source being illustrated in
each scenario by making a line going towards the sky.
Furthermore, identify the particular source illustrated and
write it on the gray shaded boxes.

PERSONAL SKY METHODOLOGICAL SKY

• •

• • • • •
The researcher
The researcher The researcher The researcher
has only 1 year to The researcher
prefers lives in Malabon uses a quasi-
finish the study prefers literate
convenience so he prefers to experimental
since he is a respondents for
sampling conduct the study research design
graduating his research.
technique. in Malabon. for his study.
student.

What is It

In identifying research scope, Brutus (2013) suggested to bear in mind the

following:

1. You need to address not only the research problem or research questions but
also the population that you want to examine.
2. Avoid scopes which are too-wide. Set delimitations. It is time-consuming and
impractical to thoroughly examine a problem when the scope is too wide.
3. If a wider scope is really necessary, use a narrower scope for each study and
complete multiple studies if possible.
4. When identifying your scope, you should also keep the intended audience of
your research in mind.

Brutus (2013) also noted the following when discussing the limitations of your
research:

1. Describe each limitation in detailed but concise terms.

2. Explain why each limitation exists.
 3. Provide reasons why each limitation could not be overcome using the method(s)
chosen to gather the data.
4. Assess the impact of each limitation in relation to the overall findings and
conclusions of your study.
5. If appropriate, describe how these limitations could point to the need for further
research.

What’s More

Common Phrases Used to Denote Scope and Limitations

In research writing, the following common phrases signify or signal the
statement of the research scope:

1. The study will focus on…

2. The coverage of this study is…
3. The study covers the…
4. The study focuses on…
5. It includes…
6. It is concerned with…
7. It also involves the…
8. The study consists of…

Similarly, the following common phrases signify or signal the statement of the
research limitation:

1. The study does not cover…

2. The study does not focus…
3. The researcher limited this research to…
4. This study is limited to…

Activity No. 3: Your Words Matter

Task: Below is an illustration of interrelated concepts in scope

and limitation. In your own words, write a 6-8 sentence
essay discussing this illustration.

Source: https://www.projectguru.in/how-to-
write-the-scope-of-the-study/
Write your essay here.
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What I Have Learned

In this module, we have learned the following:

1. Scope of a study explains the extent to which the research area will be
explored in the work and specifies the parameters within which the study will
be operating. What aims the scope to be narrowed is delimitation. Limitation
aims to identify the potential weaknesses or hindrances of the study.
2. It is also an advantage for researchers to determine the possible sources of
limitations. Sources of limitations can be of two (2) types: methodological or
personal.
3. Even though stating limitations is allowed, it is incorrect to inflate the
importance of the findings because of these limitations.

What I Can Do

Activity No. 4 YouScope!

Task: The following are specific research details. Try to

determine the research scope.

1. Number of CoViD-19 positive cases in Malabon and Navotas are collected. The
infection rate, mortality rate and recovery rates are being identified too.
Possible Scope: ___________________________________________________________

2. Residents of Barangay Hulong Duhat were asked if they are satisfied on health
services provided by the Barangay.
Possible Scope: ___________________________________________________________

3. The grades of HUMSS 12 students in Creative Writing are obtained. The same
was done to GAS 12 students. The grades are compared to determine any
significant difference.
Possible Scope: __________________________________________________________
 Activity No. 5 Be a Research Checker!

Task: The following is an excerpt Scope and Limitation of the

Study in a certain research paper. Identify the scope,
limitation and delimitation of the study.

The study mainly focuses on developing an armchair designed to reduce the

risk of the students to have an idiopathic scoliosis. As this study progress, it also
determined the problems in the current armchair that the students use in a school but
it did not indicate that the same problem will be shown with another type of chairs or
tables.
The study took place within the parameters of Schools Division Office – Malabon
City; thus, the respondents of the study are students from the division. The study is
conducted during the second semester of the academic year 2018-2019. All the data
and information were held with strict confidentiality to the public for their safety and
follows the ethical principles of research.

Scope

Limitations

Delimitations

The study mainly focuses on finding an alternative learning resources planned

to engage learners in learning every topic to reduce inattention among learners. As the
study goes on, it will determine problems in the traditional learning strategy that is
being implemented currently and learners to stand by to. The study specifies to give
solutions to setting systematic errors and not to the learner’s status and choices.

The study took place within Malabon National High School; hence, the
respondents of the study will be selected from the school, which at count is, 87 Grade
11 students and 67 Grade 12 students. The study is conducted during the first
semester of the school year 2019-2020. All the data and information that are gathered
by the researchers are held with strict confidentiality for the public for their safety and
follows the ethical principles of research.

Scope

Limitations

Delimitations
 Assessment

MULTIPLE CHOICES. Read the following questions below. Choose the letter of the
correct answer. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided before
each number.

__________1. Which of the following best describes the identification of the number
of respondents in a research study?

A. scope C. delimitation
B. limitation D. significance

__________2. The study of Amaranth is published with its title “On the Rational
Approximation of the Hypotenuse of a Class of Right Triangles”. Which of the
following is explicitly stated in the title?

A. scope C. delimitation
B. limitation D. significance

__________3. Which of the following depicts differently from the others?

A. This study aims to…

B. This study focuses on…
C. This study limits itself to…
D. This study seeks to…

__________4. A student-researcher in Malabon modifies his research methods by

producing a one-page questionnaire, selecting a not so high number of
respondents and identifying respondents living in Malabon City because he does
not have enough sources and funds to develop a wide-range study. Which of the
following best describes this limitation?

A. It is a personal limitation since it points to limitations

contributed by the researcher itself.
B. It is a personal limitation since it points to limitations
contributed by the research methods.
C. It is a methodological limitation since it points to
limitations contributed by the researcher itself.
D. It is a methodological limitation since it points to
limitations contributed by the research methods.

__________5. Which of the following should NOT be done?

A. Describe each limitation in imprecise and verbose terms.

B. Explain why each limitation exists.
C. If appropriate, describe how these limitations could point
to the need for further research.
D. Assess the impact of each limitation in relation to the
overall findings and conclusions of your study.
 Additional Activities

Technical Writing!
TASK: Now that you have an idea how to state the scope and limitations of the
study, you may now start continue writing your research paper’s
Chapter 1. Previously, you were able to make (1) introduction or
background of the problem; (2) theoretical framework; (3) conceptual
framework; and (4) statement of the problem. Now, use your learnings
in this module to make the next part. Submit your draft either
physically or digitally or as advised by your research teacher.

1. Introduction or Background of the Study

2. Theoretical Framework
3. Conceptual Framework
4. Statement of the Problem
5. Scope and Limitation of the Study

References
Brutus, Stéphane et al. "Self-Reported Limitations and Future Directions in
Scholarly Reports: Analysis and Recommendations." Journal of Management 39
(January 2013): 48-75

Steel, J.A. (2004). Scope and limitation in algal modelling – an example from the
Thames Valley reservoirs. Hydrobiologia, 349, 27-37.

Chetty, Priya (January 2020). “How to write the scope of the study?”. Retrieved from
https://www.projectguru.in/how-to-write-the-scope-of-the-study/

Answer Key

What I Know
Assessment Activity

1. B
C Answers may vary.
2. A
3. B
C
4. B
A
5. D
A