Q: What would be the scope of my study on 'Evaluation of the microbiological quality of yoghurt'?

The scope of the study means the extent to which you will examine the topic in question. In case it’s a secondary study (such as a literature review, a systematic review, or a meta-analysis), one way of establishing the scope, for instance, is by defining how many articles you will review. In case of a primary study, you may need to define the number of parameters you will study.

Establishing the scope of a study is done primarily to make it feasible – in terms of time, effort, money, and other resources. If not, the study will go on forever. If, on the other hand, the scope is too small, it may not yield valuable results. So, defining the scope is a bit about finding the right balance, but always keeping in mind the goal of the study.

For more information on scope and the related concept of delimitations, you may go through the following resources:

• How do I present the scope of my study?
• What is the meaning of scope and delimitations of a study?
• Can you give an example of the scope of a study?

All the best for your study!