CONCEPT PAPER

• Concept


  Defined as abstract ideas. They are understood to be the fundamental building blocks of the concept behind principles, thoughts and beliefs. They play an important role in all aspects of cognition.
• Definition


  Central to developing concept is writing definitions–it is used to provide the meaning of a particular word or term. Its main purpose is to clarify and explain concepts, ideas and issues by answering the question, "What does it mean?" Definitions maybe formal, informal, or extended.
• Formal definition


  Formal sentence definitions include the term (specie), class (genus), and distinguishing features (differentia).
• Informal definition


  Informal definitions do not include distinguishing features.
• Extended definition


  Extended definitions are essay length texts that use different rhetorical patterns to show the meaning of a particular term or concept. Usually, they also describe, compare and contrast, and show cause-and-effect relationships.
• Explication


  A method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or passages are taken for a literary or academic work and then interpreted and explained in a detailed manner.
• Clarification


  A method in which the points are organized from general abstract idea to specify and concrete examples are given.
• Comparison and contrast


  Comparing and contrasting are ways of exploring the similarities and differences between two things.
• Narrating a process


  Explaining how to do something or explaining how something works. It is about narrating a process step by step and giving guidance for a certain process, working mechanism, procedure, etc.
• Reporting a cause and effect


  Exploring how an event or situation came into being (the "cause") and what is happening because of the event or situation (the "effect").
• The words in the research title should not exceed 15 words.
• Concept paper


  Summaries of projects or issues that reflect the interests, experience and expertise of the writer or organization. Concept papers generally serve the purpose of providing in-depth discussion of a topic that the writer has a strong position on, usually with the intent of obtaining funding for that project from donors.
• The terms concept paper and proposal are often used interchangeably as they can be used for the same function.
• Concept paper


  A short document written by a research before starting their research project, with the purpose of explaining what the study is about, why it is important and the methods that will be used.
• Concept paper


  In academia, concept papers are usually written by a student who is on the verge of conducting a research. A concept paper outlines the research about to be conducted with the purpose to have a structured goal and direction while conducting research.
• Components of concept paper

  • Title page
  • Introduction
  • SOP/Objectives
  • Abridged methodology
• Title page


  State the proponent's name, institution, the title of the project, and date of submission.
• Introduction


  A brief introduction and review of relevant existing literature published within the subject area and identification of where the gaps in knowledge are. This last bit is particularly important as it guides you in defining the statement of the problem. The concept paper should provide a succinct summary of 'the problem', which is usually related to what is unknown or poorly understood about your research topic.
• SOP/Objectives


  The overarching research aim of your proposed study and the objectives and/or questions you will address to achieve this aim. Align all of these with the problem statement, i.e., Write each research questions a clear response to addressing the limitations and gaps identified from previous literature. Also give a clear description of your primary hypothesis.
• Abridged methodology


  It presents the specific data outputs that you plant capture. For example, will this be qualitative or quantitative data? The research methodology you will use to capture this data, including any specific measurement or analysis equipment and software you will use, and a consideration of statistical tests to help interpret the data. If your research requires the use of questionnaires, how will these be prepared and validated? In what sort of time frame would you plan to collect this data? Include a statement of the significance of the study, explaining why it is important.