SAEAPPS Lesson 5 - Writing a Concept paper

What is a Concept?

  • General notion or idea.

Concept Paper

  • Summary document that outlines a project, its purpose, and execution plan.

  • Provides an overview that helps funding agencies assess proposals.

Uses of a Concept Paper

  • Serves as the foundation for a full proposal.

  • Determines project feasibility.

  • Engages potential funding agencies' interest.

  • Obtains informal feedback before the full proposal development.

Explaining a Concept

  • Defining: Clarifying terms and concepts, answering "WHAT DOES IT MEAN?"

  • Types of definitions: informal, formal, extended.

Informal Definition

  • Brief explanations.

  • Example: Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is found in vegetable oil, fish, and nuts.

Formal Definition

  • Incorporates term, genus, and differentia.

    • Term: Subject of definition

    • Genus: General category

    • Differentia: Unique quality

  • Example: "Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant."

Extended Definition

  • Includes various development patterns (synonym, origin, illustration, function, analysis, likeness, analogy, contrast, negation).

Examples:

  • By Synonym: "This situation is a conundrum, a puzzle that is difficult to solve."

  • By Origin: "The word tourniquet comes from 'tourner,' which means 'to turn.'"

  • By Illustration: "Deciduous trees include oaks, maples, and beeches."

  • By Function: "A sewing machine operates with a foot pedal to constitute a stitch."

  • By Analysis: "The republican government has three branches: executive, legislative, judiciary."

  • By Likeness: "Quasars stand like beacons on the shore of the universe."

  • By Analogy: "Germs invade the body like a gang of villains."

  • By Contrast: "Unlike a boss, a leader coaches and develops employees."

  • By Negation: "The M1 Helmet is not a cooking pot or wash basin."

Parts of a Concept Paper

  1. Cover Page: Proponents' information, date.

  2. Introduction: Agency understanding.

  3. Rationale: Project significance.

  4. Description: Goals, methodology, evaluation.

  5. Needs and Cost: Budget overview, resources needed.

Academic Research Components

  1. Title Page

  2. Background

  3. Literature Review

  4. Statement of Problem/Objectives

  5. Methodology

  6. Timeline

  7. References

Guidelines in Writing a Concept Paper

  1. Reasonable methodology and costs.

  2. Clear alignment of budget, methodology, and timeline.

  3. Use statistics in rationale.

  4. Limit to five pages (single-spaced).

  5. Don’t seek funding for planning proposals.

  6. Adjust language to the audience.

  7. Include budget overview when required.

  8. Maintain basic format details.

  9. Cite references properly.