ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the function and key objectives of the scoping process, and explains the assessment framework and the conventions and issues that set the context for the scoping process. It provides some suggestions about how to plan and conduct scoping for a social assessment. The chapter discusses some of the key issues that must be addressed in designing an effective scoping process for social impact assessment. Social assessment combines research, analytic and participatory processes to identify, describe and interpret changes in the 'human environment' that result from any of a wide variety of change agents - development projects, new policies or planning activities. Although scoping has been established as a formally defined component of the environmental and social impact assessment processes required by law in many countries, and has therefore taken on specific meaning and requirements in the public forum, it is also a necessary component of any social assessment, even those conducted outside of the organizational and regulatory context.
