Understanding Concept Papers

• A concept paper is a brief summary of a research project aimed at informing a casual reader about what the researcher is investigating, why it is important, and how the investigation will proceed.
• The document is concise, ranging from 2 to 10 pages or more, depending on requirements, and explains the importance of the research project.

Parts of a Concept Paper

• Title Page: Provides a tentative title identifying variables and their relationships.
• Statement of the Problem: Outlines the purpose of the research and introduces the problem under investigation.
• Preliminary Literature Review: Identifies major literature supporting and validating the research topic.
• Goal Statement: Gives the reader a clear idea of what you want to achieve through the research.
• Research Questions: Gives a preliminary view of the questions based on theory, past research, experience, and need.
• Abridged Methodology: Describes the research methods and how the data will be analyzed, relating to goals and objects in previous sections.
• Timeline: Provides a realistic time frame for project completion, highlighting key elements for each stage.
• References: Lists materials cited in the literature review and elsewhere in the paper.

Creating Visual Aids

• Visual aids are items or objects that present information visually, such as graphs, charts, photos, and videos.
• The reason for using visual aids is to help the audience understand spoken information.
• Effective visual aids should summarize information, reduce spoken words, clarify concepts, show examples, maintain audience interest, and create an impact.

Types of Visual Aids

• PowerPoint: A computer application for attaching visual items to slides.
• Instructional Writing Boards: White boards and black boards.
• Handouts: Papers/printouts containing important information.
• Video Clips: Add motion, images, and audio to a presentation.
• Flipcharts: Large paper sheets on a tripod, used with thick, colored markers.
• Posters: Visual devices presented on Manila paper or cartolina.
• Realia: Real-life products, objects, or artifacts.

How to Create Visual Aids

• Understand the audience and your purpose
• Identify the key message or story
• Identify key objects / topics
• Establish relationships of elements
• Organize / sequence the information
• Design the visual aid

Guidelines for Effective Presentation

• Choose a clear and simple background
• Avoid too many different styles or font sizes
• Use animations only when needed
• Use a large font size, minimum 24pt
• Use bullets to summarize important points
• Avoid too much text on a slide
• Avoid colorful texts, such as red or green, that are not reader-friendly
• Stick to one main point for each slide

Guidelines in Using Images

• Make a link/connection to the content
• Consider image size and quality
• Utilize a focused image
• Utilize consistent images in a slide
• Refrain from using clipart
• Always provide credit to the sources
• Avoid using unnatural images
• Use the visual to tell your story effectively
• Keep images simple

Graphic Organizers

• Bar Graph: Compares independent variables among categories.
• Line Graph: Visualizes the value over time.
• Pie Chart: Shows proportion and percentages.
• Histogram: Shows distributions of variables.
• Matrix Arrangement: Shows where elements are placed in different regions.
• Timeline: Presents information sequentially.
• Flowchart: Shows processes.
• Hierarchy: Shows how elements are ranked.
• Mind Map: Shows connections between one big idea and other related ideas.
• Venn Diagram: Shows similarities and differences between concepts.
• Jigsaw: Shows things that fit together to form a larger concept.
• Balance Diagram: Shows a push-pull relationship between two ideas or concepts.

Position Paper

• A position paper presents an opinion and makes a claim about an issue supported by arguments and evidence, providing a foundation for solutions.

Logical Thinking

• Logical thinking involves a rational, systematic approach to reach a conclusion, achieved through observation, analysis, and feedback, and supports strategies, actions, and decisions with gathered facts.

Objective Expression of Ideas

• Objective expression conveys facts or conditions without distortion, personal feelings, prejudices, or interpretations.

Balanced Assignment of Conflicting Ideas

• Balanced assignment involves shifting between opposing and supporting arguments and expressing both arguments and counterarguments.

Modes of Reasoning

• Inductive Reasoning: Starts with specific examples/situations, deriving a generalization; moves from specific to general.
• Deductive Reasoning: Uses a general statement leading to specific references; moves from general to specific.

Qualities of a Convincing Position Paper

• Contains a clear proposition or statement to be defended
• Assesses conflicting opinions or opposing views
• Takes a firm stand
• Lists arguments in an organized way
• Presents factual evidence to support the argument

Tips for Writing a Position Paper

• Use simple language
• Give each idea its own paragraph
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence
• Proofread carefully
• Cite your sources

Situations for Using a Position Paper

Social Issues

• An issue recognized by society as a problem, preventing optimal functioning Four Factors include:
• Public recognition
• Conflict with general values
• Population concern
• Potential for rectification through joint action

Other Issues

• Educational issues: Debates on policy and practices.
• Technological issues: Adaption and control of the environment.
• Media issues: Demonstrating concepts and connecting learners.
• Relationship issues: Connections and relations between people.
• War and peace: Resolving disputes through peaceful negotiation.
• Environmental issues: Association between society's well-being and the environment's quality.
• Political issues: Concerns running the government.

Argument Structure

• Argument: Claims supported by reasons and evidence.
• Claim: Statements about truth or value, potentially arguable.
• Reason: Statements supporting claims.
• Evidence: Supports the reasons offered.

Survey Report

• A survey report makes recommendations based on a careful analysis of data tallied and organized from survey findings.
• A simpler and more concise report presents a summary of the survey results.

Elements of a Survey Report

• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Executive Summary: paraphrase and condense the main points
• Objectives and Background: Explains the survey purpose
• Methodology: Explains the procedure of the survey
• Results - Graphs, charts, and other visual representations of your data.
• Conclusion and Recommendations: The reader should take away from the survey and what actions they should take.
• Appendices: Questionnaire, graphs, charts, surveys, and testimonies.

Field Report

• A field report is a writing assignment that requires the writer to observe and analize
• The final report aims to inform readers about the influence and impact of an observed person, place, or event.

Observation Techniques

• Note Taking
• Photography
• Video and Audio Recordings
• Illustrations and Drawings

Elements to Document While Observing

• Document Physical Setting
• Document Objects and Material Culture
• Document Use of Language
• Use of Language
• Behavior Cycles
• Order of Events

Introductions in Field Reports

• Introductions describe specific objectives, important theories, and the setting.

Activities to Describe

• Description of Activities enables your readers to know what happened to the situation, people, or events.

Conclusion of Field Reports

• Conclusion and Recommendations summarizes the study and reiterates the importance or significance of your observations.

Technical Report

• A technical report, also known as a scientific report, describes the process, progress, or results of technical or scientific research.

Technical Report Criteria

• The report is not peer-reviewed, considered "non-archival," and can be freely published elsewhere.

Technical Report sections

• Title Page: Include the title of the report.
• Summary: Include a summary of the whole report including important features, results and conclusions.
• Contents: Include numbers and lists of all sections and subsections headings with page numbers.
• Introduction: List the objectives of the report.
• References : Add details of published sources of material referred to or quoted in the text.
• Bibliography: Add other published sources of material that you may have referenced.
• Appendices: Add any further material which is essential for full understanding of your report.