Chapter 12 - The Scope of Research Programs

Abstract

This chapter discusses that research programs have a spatial scope, which is the ratio of the extent to the spatial resolution. Similarly, the temporal scope is the ratio of the duration to the temporal resolution. Spatial and temporal scope are dimensionless ratios that can be partitioned into components that reflect the design of the program and the effort at each level in the program. Scope calculations quantify the scale-up at each level in a research program. These calculations are conveniently displayed as diagrams to evaluate research programs relative to one another and relative to the phenomenon being investigated. The magnitude of scale-up at each level differs substantially, as does the logical and evidential basis for scale-up. Scope diagrams are relatively simple for descriptive studies, surveys, and monitoring programs.