In
a research-specific context, limitations refer to the potential
weaknesses in a study that are beyond the researcher's control.
Limitations hinders a study and its findings;
The
characteristics that limit the scope and define the boundaries of your
investigation as set by you as researcher are known as delimitations.
You have complete control over the delimitations. The study topic,
objectives, research questions, and variables of interest, as well as
theoretical viewpoints and the population you select to analyse, can all
be delimited (according to the researcher's own choice).
For
example George wants to conduct a research aiming at analyzing L2
learners' perception of online learning ; for the purpose, he wanted to
select 250 students to fill in his questionnaires. He could, however,
access only 100 students; out of them, only 80 students filled in his
questionnaires. George hence has to generalize his findings accordingly
(i.e. based on only 80 students). Moreover, he wanted to explore some
personal digital libraries for the purpose but could not access them.
The two problems faced by George are beyond his control so these
problems will definitely hinder his study and findings. Such kinds of
problems are termed research limitations.
Mary
is another researcher, she also wants to conduct her research on
analyzing L2 learners' perception of online learning . She has already
decided that her sample size should be specific to 35 students who, in
her opinion, should be interviewed for the purpose. The sample size of
35 students and the tool of interview , in her opinion, limit the scope
and define the boundaries of her work. As her decision is based on her
own choice , seeking to set the boundaries of methodological
substructure of her study, so it is termed as delimitation in research
context.
A
researcher in a research project, may face limitations as well as
delimitations at the same time. For example: Helen wants to analyze the
impact of working environment on job satisfaction. She thinks that
qualitative, other than quantitative research paradigm will be the
suitable option to conduct her research. Besides, she has decided that
focus group interview must be conducted for the purpose. Her selection
in terms of qualitative mode of inquiry is based on her own choice. It
is therefore considered delimitation. However, if she wants to integrate
encyclopaedic knowledge into her review of literature but despite all
her efforts, remains unable to access the required encyclopaedias
(because of financial or any other issues), it shall be considered her
research limitation, an issue/ problem which is beyond her control.
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