Understanding Concept Papers

• Concept papers offer succinct summaries of research projects to help readers grasp the subject, importance, and methodology.
• A concept paper typically ranges from 2 to 10 pages.

Parts of a Concept Paper

• A title page provides a tentative title that identifies the variables and their relationships.
• Problem statement introduces the research, its purpose, and the reasons for the investigation.
• Preliminary literature review identifies and validates the topic with major literature.
• Goal statement gives a clear idea of what the research aims to achieve.
• Research questions offers a preliminary view of the topic's questions based on theory, research, experience, and need.
• Abridged methodology outlines the research approach and data analysis and should relate to prior goals and objectives, in a simplified or summarized way.
• Timeline provides a realistic timeframe, highlighting key elements for each project stage.
• References provide references to material cited in the literature review.

Creating Visual Aids

• Visual aids enhance audience understanding of spoken information.
• Visual aids can summarize data, reduce spoken words, clarify concepts, and maintain audience interest.

Types of Visual Aids

• PowerPoint is a computer tool for attaching visual elements in slides.
• Instructional Writing Boards include white boards and black boards.
• Handouts contain important information.
• Video clips adds motion, images, and audio to a presentation.
• Flipcharts consist of large paper sheets on a tripod, marked with colored markers.
• Posters are visual devices on Manila paper or cartolina.
• Realia includes real-life products, objects, or artifacts.

How to Create Visual Aids

• Step 1: Know your audience and purpose
• Step 2: Identify the message
• Step 3: Identify key objects/topics
• Step 4: Establish element relationships
• Step 5: Organize the sequence
• Step 6: Design your visual aid

Guidelines for Effective Presentation

• Use a clear, simple background
• Do not use too many different styles or font sizes
• Reserve animations for when they are needed
• Use a large font size, minimum 24pt
• Use bullets to summarize points
• Avoid too much text on a slide
• Do not use colorful texts, such as red or green, that are not reader-friendly
• Each slide should only have one point

Guidelines in Using Images

• Make a link/connection
• Image quality and size matters
• Utilize a focused image
• Use consistent images in a slide
• Avoid using clipart
• Always provide credit to the sources
• Refrain from using unnatural images
• The visual should tell your story effectively
• Images must be kept simple

Graphic Organizers

• Bar graphs compares independent variables among categories.
• Line graphs visualizes the value over time.
• Pie charts shows proportion and percentages.
• Histograms are for distribution of data.
• Matrix arrangement shows element placement.
• Timelines presents information sequentially.
• Flowcharts present processes.
• Hierarchies shows element rankings.
• Mind maps show connections between a big idea and related ideas.
• Venn diagrams compare/contrast concepts.
• Jigsaws form a concept by fitting pieces.
• Balance diagrams shows a push-pull relationship.

Position Paper

• Position papers present opinions and claims supported by arguments and evidence.
• It provides a foundation for proposing solutions.

Logical Thinking Requirements

• Using rational, systematic steps to conclude.
• Conclusions are achieved through observation, analysis, reactions, and feedback and justifies strategies, actions, and decisions based on facts gathered

Objective Expression of Ideas Requirements

• Express facts without distortion, personal feelings, prejudices, and interpretations.

Balanced Assignment of Conflicting Ideas

• Shifts from counter to support.
• Expresses arguments and counterarguments

Modes of Reasoning

• Inductive reasoning starts with specific examples, then generalized.
• Deductive reasoning begins with a general statement and leads to specific references.

Qualities of a Convincing Position Paper

• Contains a clear, defensible proposition.
• It assesses conflicting opinions.
• It takes a firm stance.
• It lists arguments in an organized fashion.
• It presents factual evidence.

Tips for Writing a Position Paper

• Use simple language
• Each idea gets unique paragraph
• Topic sentences for each paragraph
• Proofread
• Cite sources

Situations a position paper is used

Social Issues

• It is recognized by society as a problem society from functioning optimally.
• The public recognizes the issue.
• Issue are against general values.
• Populations recognizes the concern and it can be solved jointly.

Educational Issues

• Concerns debates centered on educational policy and practices.

Technological Issues

• Involves the means by which people can change and adapt the environment

Media Issues

• Concerns how media can demonstrate concepts, show people having real-life experiences and connect learners.

Relationship Issues

• Concerns the connection and relations between two or more people.

War and Peace

• If leaders cannot negotiate.

Environmental Issues

• Concerns society's well-being and environmental quality.

Political Issues

• Concerns government, policies, public office, etc.

Argument

• Claims must be supported by evidence
• Claims are either true/false, good/bad or should be done/believed
• Reasons support claims and answer "why"
• Evidence supports reasons

Example Argument Structure

• Claim: Everyone should wear seat belts.
• Reason: It saves lives.
• Evidence: NHTSA data.

Survey Report

• Purpose: To make recommendation from data analysis.
• Reports are simpler and more concise

Field Report

• Writing to inform readers about a person, thing, or event
• Field reports require observations and analysis.

Introduction

• To provide specific objectives, important theories, and setting.

Description

• To Describes the activity and enables your readers to understand what happened

Interpretation And Analysis

• Use theoretical framework to provide worthy interpretations

Conclusion And Recommendations

• Recap and reiterate the significance of your observation

Appendix

• To place information not essential to finding but help analysis

Technical Report

• Known as a scientific report, a document that describes a technical or scientific research process
• It is not peer reviewed
• It is free to be published elsewhere

Key components of a technical report:

• Title Page include the title
• Summary must summarize entire report
• Content must contain list of numbers and more
• Introduction Stating the objectives
• Body Contains logically ordered sections
• Conclusion summation of the text themes.
• References provide sources details
• Bibliography contain further readings
• Acknowledge those who helped research or prepare
• Appendices contain further material for readers