The document discusses refining the scope of a research topic by viewing it as an expression of overlapping ideas that can narrow or broaden the scope. Adding more distinct ideas to a topic narrows its scope, while removing ideas broadens the scope. The specific words used to describe an idea can also limit or expand the scope of that particular idea and the overall topic.

1. REFINING SCOPE
It is useful to view a research question as an
expression of different but overlapping ideas.
Each different idea acts to narrow the scope of
the topic.
z A research
topic is created at
the intersection of
these dissimilar
ideas.
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2. • Thus, one way to narrow the scope of the topic
is to add more dissimilar ideas to the topic.
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3. • Similarly, to broaden the scope, remove
dissimilar ideas.
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4. The choice of the words describing a
particular idea may also limit or expand the
particular idea.
z Selecting the word
“vehicle” creates a broader
topic scope than if the word
“automobile” (a more
specific type of vehicle) were
selected.

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