Final answer:
Developing scope refers to the process of defining the boundaries and focus of an inquiry or research in a particular discipline. It involves formulating guiding questions in historical contexts, setting the scales of analysis in scientific fields, and determining the limits of a plot in narrative writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of scope is essential in various disciplines, ranging from the sciences to the humanities. Developing the scope of an inquiry or research involves determining the boundaries of the subject being explored. In historical inquiry, for example, it entails the formulation of focused and supporting questions that frame the scope of investigation. Such questions guide the process of historical inquiry, which consists of locating and analyzing sources. The scope can also relate to the scale of analysis within scientific domains, such as physics, ecology, and chemistry, each of which has its own specific dimensions of scope that dictate the extent and focus of research.
In the context of science as a process, the scope encompasses the methodologies scientists use to advance knowledge, always grounded in evidence and logic. Similarly, in narrative writing, defining scope involves setting the limits of a plot—figuring out where the story begins, ends, and what critical elements and background details are necessary for coherence and focus.