Concept Paper Notes

Concept Paper

A concept paper provides an overview of a project and helps eliminate proposals that are likely to be disapproved.

Several Uses of Concept Paper

• Foundation of a full proposal.
• Determines if a project is feasible or not.
• Piques the interest of potential funding agencies.
• Obtains feedback on ideas prior to preparing a full proposal.

Concept papers can be helpful in addressing social issues, especially since they aim to show solutions to tangible issues that plague society.

Definition

Definition is the method of identifying a given term, making its meaning clearer. Its main purpose is to clarify and explain concepts, ideas, and issues by answering the question "What does it mean?"

This mode of explanation contains the term to be identified and the detailed exposition of the term through the use of illustrations, examples, and descriptions.

Ways to Present a Definition

• Informal: Done through parenthetical or brief explanation.
  • EXAMPLE: Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil, fish, and nuts.
• Formal: Explains a term by incorporating the term to be defined (species), the general category of the term (genus), and the quality that makes the term different from other terms in the same category (differentia).
  • EXAMPLE: Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an anti-oxidant.
• Extended: A detailed way of defining a term, usually composed of at least one paragraph. It incorporates various patterns of development (e.g., formal and informal, comparison/contrast, narration, classification, functional analysis, process analogy, and cause and effect) to explain a given concept.
  • EXAMPLE: Learning materials refer to both printed and non printed objects or items that teachers and learners used to facilitate language learning. Nowadays, materials are beoming more and more sophisticated, incorporating authentic language samples and realias that help make connection between classrooms and real-life activities.

Explication

Explication is a method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or passages are taken from a literary or academic work and then interpreted and explained in a detailed way.

The thesis in the introduction should be clarified and followed by a detailed analysis of a passage or a text.

The body of the explication may begin with analyzing and explaining how the text was constructed. It should be concluded concisely by restating the thesis and arguments.

Classification

Classification is a method of explanation in which the points are organized from general abstract ideas to specific and concrete examples.

It entails the analysis of the concept by looking at the examples and specifying some of its characteristics to arrive at one working definition which can be used throughout the paper.

Signal Words for Clarification

after all, as an example, consider the following, for example, for instance, in other words, in particular, in short, namely, put another way, specifically, stated differently, that is, to be specific, to clarify, to illustrate.

Parts of a Concept Paper (Project)

These may vary depending on the nature of the project/activity.

1. Cover Page
   • State the name of the proponents and their affiliations.
   • State the addressee, contact numbers, and email address of the proponents.
   • State the head of the agency and his/her contact information.
   • State the date of submission.
2. Introduction
   • State the mission of the agency and the proponents represent and align it to the funding agency's mission.
   • Present and describe the other partner agency and establish its major accomplishments.
   • Provide reasons why the funding agency should support the project.
3. Rationale or Background
   • State the gap in knowledge to be addressed by the project.
   • State the problems to be solved.
   • State the project's significance.
4. Project Description
   • State the goals and objectives of the project.
   • Present the methodology.
   • Present the timeline expressed in months and years.
   • State the benefits or anticipated outcomes.
   • State how the success of outcomes will be evaluated.
5. Project Needs and Cost
   • Outline the main budget; include item description and amount.
   • Explain or justify how the budget will be used.
   • List the personnel or equipment needed for the project.

Parts of a Concept Paper (Academic Research)

1. Title Page
   • State your research title.
   • State your name and school.
   • State the date of submission.
2. Background of the Study
   • Provide the current state of the field you are researching on.
   • State the gap in knowledge and problems to be addressed by the research. Provide statistics and previous studies to approve your claims.
   • State the reasons why you want to investigate the chosen topic.
   • State the theoretical and practical implications of your proposed research.
3. Preliminary Literature
   • Provide the current state of the field you are researching on.
   • State the gap in knowledge and problems to be addressed by the research. Provide statistics and previous studies to approve your claims.
   • State the reasons why you want to investigate the chosen topic.
   • State theoretical and practical implications of your proposed research.
4. Statement of the Problem/Objectives
   • State your general problem in one sentence.
   • State your specific research questions or objectives.
5. Abridged Methodology
   • Provide the context and participants of the study.
   • Provide the instruments to be used.
   • Provide the data collection procedure.
   • Provide the data analysis scheme to be used.
6. Timeline
   • Provide a timeline (Gantt Chart) set in months or years.
7. References
   • Provide a list of all books, journals, and other resources cited in your paper.

Concept Paper Writing Assignment

Craft a concept paper regarding a prevalent issue here in the Philippines.

• Number of Words: 500-1500
• Font size 12
• Font style Arial
• Plagiarized work will be graded zero.
• SUBMISSION: Via Canvas (April 22, 2023 12:00 noon)