what is the universe of discourse in which the theory is applicable … Where, When, and for Whom does the theory apply? Scope conditions are statements that define the circumstances in which the theory’s propositions are supposed to be applicable (Cohen, 1989).

D. I. K. Sjøberg, T. Dybå, B. C. D. Anda, and J. E. Hannay, “Building Theories in Software Engineering,” in Guide to Advanced Empirical Software Engineering SE - 12, F. Shull, J. Singer, and D. K. Sjøberg, Eds. Springer London, 2008, pp. 312–336. [Springerlink]