Scope

How it is used

Writers define or narrow the scope of a study and explain what lies beyond the scope of the paper. Supervisors often say a thesis topic is too broad and needs a narrower scope. Journals publish an 'aims and scope' page describing what they accept.

Example sentences

1. A full comparison with private schools is beyond the scope of this study.

2. Read the journal's aims and scope before you submit.

Common collocations

• beyond the scope of
• narrow the scope
• scope of the study
• aims and scope

Related terms

• limitationA weakness or restriction in a study's design, sample or methods that affects how far its findings can be generalized or trusted.
• research questionA clear, focused question that a study is designed to answer; it guides the choice of methods, data and analysis.
• objectiveA specific, achievable step that a study sets out to complete in order to reach its broader aim.
• journalA regular publication containing research articles in a particular field, usually checked by peer review before publication.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• scope · Project Management

More terms: Academic Vocabulary

• indicate
• e.g.
• i.e.
• concept
• approach
• implication
• demonstrate
• furthermore
• assumption
• phenomenon
• comprise
• respectively