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Grade 8 STE - RESEARCH 2

Quarter 1 – Module 10:
RESEARCH SCOPE, LIMITATIONS
AND DELIMITATIONS

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Grade 8 STE- Research 2
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 10: Research Scope, Limitations and Delimitations
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education – Schools Division of Sorsogon

Schools Division Superintendent – Jose L. Doncillo, CESO V
Asst. Schools Division Superintendent – Ma. Jeany T. Abayon
Curriculum Implementation Division Chief – Rolando F. Embile
Education Program Supervisor (Science) – Michelle H. Guadamor

DEVELOPMENT TEAM OF THE MODULE

WRITER: CINDY D. GONZALES

EDITORS: RONEL M. LLONA

MARIA SHEILA F. FAJARDO

REVIEWERS: MICHELLE H. GUADAMOR

WELIMEN C. OSEO
REY EUGENE R. LEE
JERIEL G. MARTIREZ
RONEL M. LLONA
MARIA SHEILA F. FAJARDO

LAYOUT ARTISTS: JOHN BRYAN M. EVASCO

JERIEL G. MARTIREZ

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 8

GRADE 8 STE- RESEARCH 2

Quarter 1 – Module 10:
Research Scope, Limitations and Delimitations

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 Most Essential Learning Competency

Determine the appropriate steps in planning and designing a

research study

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 Scope and Limitations in research Study

Introduction

In the previous modules, you learned the

characteristics of research. You did some tasks on
formulating research questions as well as hypotheses of
the research study.
In this module, we will explain the extent on what
the study is going to cover and what it is going to focus
on. Similarly, you also have to define what the study is
not going to cover.

\
\\ Most Essential Learning
\ Competency & Objectives

In this module, you will determine the appropriate steps in planning and
designing a research study.

Specifically, you should be able to:

1. Differentiate scope and limitation in a research study.

2. Write a scope and delimitation of the identified research problem/study.

Duration: 2 meetings

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 Pre-Test

Before we start our lesson, try to answer these

five (5) questions below.

Direction: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the
correct answer.

1. Why do we need to include limitations in research paper?

a. Because the researcher considered the strength of research topic.

b. Because it does NOT strengthen the study.
c. Because it does not identify problems before the reviewers find them out.
d. Because, it strengthens the study by identifying any problems before
researchers or reviewers find them out.

2. Why do we need to determine the scope of the study?

a. To specify the parameters within the study

b. To narrow down to a certain section of target population.
c. To describe the boundaries of the study.
d. Both A & B

3. The scope refers to the depth at which the research area will be explored. If the
researcher decided to study the impact of mobile devices on the academic
performance, what should be the scope?

a. The scope will have to be restricted to a specific section of the target

population over a specified duration.
b. The scope will have to be restricted to a whole section of the target population
over a specified duration.
c. The scope will have to be restricted to a whole section of the target population
over a whole duration.
d. The scope will have to be restricted to a specific section of the target
population over a whole duration.

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4. In the above-cited study mentioned in number 3, what would form the
delimitations of research study?

a. Researchers need to elaborate the specific section of the target population.

b. Researchers are tasked to explain insufficient time and financial resources
that delimits the study.
c. Researchers are tasked with the responsibility of explaining why specific
exclusions and choices were made and how they might affect the outcome of
the research
d. None of the above.

5. Ana wants to study on the use of eggshells as chalk. If it works, she will rename
it to “Eggshalk.” What is the scope and what does it tell about the limitation of the
study?

a. Scope will focus on the use of eggshells as the main ingredients while other
shells will not be involved.
b. Scope will focus on the use of eggshells and other shells while chemical
analyses will not be involved.
c. Scope will focus on the presence of eggshell and test if chalk has calcium
carbonate ingredient like what the most chalks need.
d. Scope will focus on the ingredients like shells, mussels and clams and delimit
on the chemical analyses of the shells.

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 Learning Activities

E licit/ Engage

Hi there, are you ready for our first adventure? Just relax
and concentrate. Let us have first the review!

In the previous lesson you know that a scientific question

usually starts with: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why or Where.
For example. How will the use of carabao manure and urea affect the growth of
okra plants?
The tentative answer to the research questions is what we call HYPOTHESIS. It
guides the researcher in designing the study or experiment based on experiences,
observations or facts. There are also ways on how to formulate a hypothesis and is
presented below:

Null form states that there is no Alternative form states there is a

significant difference between the significant difference between the
results of two conditions being tested. results of the two conditions being tested.
Example: let’s use the given problem
above
There is no significant difference There is a significant difference between
between the effects of carabao manure the effects of carabao manure and urea
on the growth of plants on the growth of plants.

Take note! You can’t be effective problem solvers unless you

know how to test hypotheses. Because when you test out your
ideas you are experimenting.

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 E xplore

Activity 1: Determining Scope and Limitations

A picture paints a thousand words. You have heard this statement often times,
haven’t you? Read and look closely at the comic story above. This will help you to
summarize quickly an important point and presenting information in a more interesting
way.
This lesson will come to a realization that when information is difficult to
understand words alone are not the best way to transfer information and vice versa
hence, this will teach you not only to comprehend the text you are writing but to fully
appreciate it.
Direction: Learn to interpret a picture by looking closely at the sample below. Guess
what the picture depicts in terms of writing research scope and delimitation. It is
therefore vital that you make intelligent guesses (based on sound reasoning) and
think critically to decipher the meanings of those words. Consider the example
below.

Ex.

Answer: Boundaries / limits

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 1. 2. 3.

22

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

8. 4. 5. 6.

Typically, the information that you need to include the scope would

cover the following: General purpose of the study, the population or sample

that you are studying, the topics or theories that you will discuss, the time

frame, the geographical location covered in the study. Furthermore, some

limitations might be evident to researches before the start of the study, while

other might become clear while you are conducting the research.

Activity 2: Differentiating Scope and Delimitation

When people and things interact, they produce results. The interaction is called
process. Things like this happens also in research when you are making a science
investigatory project. Read through the content of the comic story about the science
researches’ to be more acquainted with the difference of scope and delimitation. Then
answer the questions that follow.

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A comic story: #Quaranthings

Maria: What is your day like now

that school is closed?

Well beside from doing what’s necessary, I do try to learn

new skill in science during lockdown …

Wow! pretty cool huh!

# quaranthings….

Hey Ana, what are the chances

that a material scrap like cigarette
filter added with different ratios
of kerosene will be converted into
glue?

Oh, by the way, Why make use

of the scrap cigarette filter? can
Maria, I have no you not use plastics it can be

idea dear. found everywhere

Because according
to my science
teacher a plastic
material is not
capable of melting
when mixed with
Owwww I see. But why are
kerosene
you going to make use of
kerosene?

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 Actually, my study will focus only on the use of cigarette filter
melted by kerosene to create a glue. Other types of gases like
petroleum are not included in this study. I’m gonna try this first
if it works in different ratios/varying amount of kerosene to meet
a satisfactory solution.

Can you help me pick cigarette filter and let’s go buy some kerosene

Wow that’s interesting. If it does work

maybe you can have it tested for
chemical analyses

Hmmmmn nice idea though..

However, due to this

pandemic I might have faced
the problem of having
limited access so I need to
redesign this research … you
know serious problems
associated with budgeting
and the time constraints ….

Ohh yeah I feel yah!

This time around let’s stick to that parameters.

Don’t worry I’m willing to help you

Wait.. I’m gonna call mom to ask her permission to

go with you…

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Guide Questions:

Q1. What is the main focus of researcher from the comic story?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Q2. What does the researcher do to support the focus of her study?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Q3. What does the researcher do to decide which points to consider and which points to
exclude in her study?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Q4. As you were reading this comics story what scope, limitation, delimitation ran
through the researcher’s mind? Fill in the chart by completing the information being
asked.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

SCOPE LIMITATION DELIMITATION

I hope you are now acquainted with writing scope,

limitation and delimitation. Remain focused as you go
through the next activity...

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 Activity 3: Writing Scope and Delimitation

Here is your final activity. Write a brief paragraph containing the

scope, limitations, and delimitation of the identified research study. Be sure
that you follow the standards in constructing. Do not generalize. Get down to
specifics.

Problem / Title: Effects of Playing Online Games to the Academic Performance of

Grade 8 students at Matnog National High School.
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Scoring rubric:
Points Description
4 Student’s understanding of the task is clearly evident.
Student uses effective strategies to differentiate scope and limitation from the
identified research study.
Student uses logical thinking to formulate scope and delimitation of the study.
3 Student’s understanding of the task is evident.
Student uses appropriate strategies to differentiate scope and limitation from the
identified research study.
Student shows thinking skills to formulate scope and delimitation of the study.
2 Student has limited understanding of the concept.
Student uses strategies that are ineffective.
Student attempts to show thinking skills.
1 Student has a complete understanding of concept.
Student makes no attempt to show thinking skills.
Student shows no understanding.

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 E xplain
Take time to understand the following
ideas or concepts for you.

SCOPE- identifies the parameters or coverage of the study in terms

of subjects, objectives, facilities, area or locale, time frame and the issues
to which the research is focused. The scope of study is usually followed
by an explanation of the limitations of the research.

Common phrases used :

“The study will focus on…” “It is concerned with…”
“The coverage of this study…” “It also involves the…”
“The study focuses on...” “The study consists of…”
“It includes…”

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. Meaning, limitations are those that result
from the methodology and from issues within researcher(s).

When considering what limitations there might be in your investigation, be thorough

and consider all of the following:

• Your analysis
• The nature of self- reporting
• The instruments you utilized
• The sample
• Time constraints
• Specificity or the factors or variables to be observed or measured
• Conciseness
• Measurability

In qualitative research certain limitations might mean that the findings cannot be
generalized to the larger population. This is especially true when the definition of the
population is broad (ex. Elderly women)

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 DELIMITATIONS are choices made by the researcher which should be mentioned.
They describe the boundaries that you have set or the study. 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.

Sample phrases that expressed the delimitation of the study:

• The study does not cover the…
• The researcher delimits this research to…

E laborate/ Extend

Post-it and Think Loud!

SCOPE LIMITATIONS DELIMITATIONS

• What the • What the

study has • What the
study is
going to not tackled study is
tackle. because it is only going
out of the to tackle.
researcher's
control.

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Analogy:
The scope and delimitation of your study is like
the scope of a sniper. It tells what your study is going to cover.
It tells the range of your study.

As a researcher, you have to be careful when you define your scope or area of
focus. Remember that if you broaden the scope too much, you might not be able to do
justice to the work or it might take a very long time to complete. Consider feasibility of
your work before you write down the scope. Again, if the scope is too narrow, the
findings might not be recognizable.

Vocabulary List

You may refer to the following vocabulary words used in this module:

Decipher – to interpret the meaning of a thing.

Delimitations- boundaries set by the researcher that limit the generalizability o findings.
Limitations- possible weaknesses of the study that were not/ could not be controlled.
Locale- a place where the data were gathered or entity to which the data belong.
Online game – is a game that can be run from an internet browser and requires the net.
Parameters – are factors or limits which affect the way that something can be done or
made.
Scope – defines where and when the study is conducted and who the subjects are. It
deals with the parameters / extent of the study to be made.

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 Post-Test

E valuate
Direction: Read the questions carefully and choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Why do we need to include limitations in research paper?

a. Because the researcher considered the strength of research topic.

b. Because it does NOT strengthen the study.
c. Because it does not identify problems before the reviewers find them out.
d. Because, it strengthens the study by identifying any problems before
researchers or reviewers find them out.

2. Why do we need to determine the scope of the study?

a. To specify the parameters within the study

b. To narrow down to a certain section of target population.
c. To describe the boundaries of the study.
d. Both A & B

3. The scope refers to the depth at which the research area will be explored. If the
researcher decided to study the impact of mobile devices on the academic
performance what should be the scope?

a. The scope will have to be restricted to a specific section of the target

population over a specified duration.
b. The scope will have to be restricted to a whole section of the target population
over a specified duration.
c. The scope will have to be restricted to a whole section of the target population
over a whole duration.
d. The scope will have to be restricted to a specific section of the target
population over a whole duration.

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4. In the above-cited study mentioned in number 3, what would form the
delimitations of research study?

a. Researchers need to elaborate the specific section of the target population.

b. Researchers are tasked to explain insufficient time and financial resources
that delimits the study.
c. Researchers are tasked with the responsibility of explaining why specific
exclusions and choices were made and how they might affect the outcome of
the research
d. None of the above.

5. Ana wants to study on the use of eggshells as chalk. If it works, she will rename
it to “Eggshalk.” What is the scope and what does it tell about the limitation of the
study?

a. Scope will focus on the use of eggshells as the main ingredients while other
shells will not be involved.
b. Scope will focus on the use of eggshells and other shells while chemical
analyses will not be involved.
c. Scope will focus on the presence of eggshell and test if chalk has calcium
carbonate ingredient like what the most chalks need.
d. Scope will focus on the ingredients like shells, mussels and clams and delimit
on the chemical analyses of the shells.

CONGRATULATIONS!
You are now a competent learner!

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 Answer Keys

Pre-Test Answer Keys

1. D 3. A 5. A
2. A 4. C

Learning Activities Answer Keys

Activity #. 1 Picture Analysis

1. TIME
2. POPULATION / SAMPLE SIZE
3. PLACE / LOCATION
4. Specific: melting, heat, temperature or the UNCONTROLLED VARIABLES
5. TARGET
6. THEORIES / IDEAS

Act. #. 2
Situation 2: Comic story

Q1. The focus of the researcher is to produce a glue out of cigarette filter melted by
kerosene.

Q2. The researcher dealt with the strength of the raw material she’s using and that the
filter cigarette and kerosene to be converted into glue.

Q3. The researcher dealt with the strength (scope or parameters) and weakness
(delimitations) both hypothetically in her study and in future studies.

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Q4. Expected answers from the students

SCOPE LIMITATION DELIMITATION

→ Glue out of cigarette → Melting rate of → Types of

filter melted by cigarette filter when gases like
kerosene kerosene is added. petroleum are
not included
→ Different ratios of → How glue sticks and
solution
→ chemical
analyses

Act. #. 3
(expected answers from the students)

The study only focuses on online games and its relation to the academic
performance of selected students. Thus, aims are determining whether playing online
games hinders their accomplishment of their home works.
However, the study excludes the effects of online games to their behavior.
The study is delimited only for the grade 8 online gamers of Matnog National
High School.

Post-Test Answer Keys

1. D
2. A
3. A
4. C
5. A

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 References

Printed References:

Calderon, Jose F. Methods of Research and Thesis Writing. Mandaluyong City.

National Bookstore, 1993

Merriam Webster Dictionary. “Delimitation.” Accessed July 27, 2020

Online References:

“limitations, Delimitations ” accessed July 29, 2020. Retrieved from

http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/research/develop writing methodology
limitations.html

Simon, Marilyn and Goes Jim (2013), Dissertation and Scholarly Research:
Recipes Success. Seattle,WA: Dissertation Success LCC. Retrieved from
www.dissertationrecipes.com

Sumanlad, Diane Mae (2015) Scope and Delimitation

Graphics:

Cover Art Photo retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/premium-

vector/education- online-illustration-vector-internet-studying-
concept_4306891.htm