The Concept Paper PDF

ASSH2005 The Concept Paper I. Definition  A concept paper, according to Dadufalza (1996), cited in Saqueton and Uychoco (2016), defines an idea or a concept and explains its essence to clarify the "whatness" of that idea or concept. Concept pa...

ASSH2005 The Concept Paper I. Definition  A concept paper, according to Dadufalza (1996), cited in Saqueton and Uychoco (2016), defines an idea or a concept and explains its essence to clarify the "whatness" of that idea or concept. Concept papers answer the question: What is it? And What about it?  Aside from that, concept papers are also used to summarize a research project or a project proposal. It tells the reader what the project is, why it is important, and how it will be carried out (The State University of New York Morrisville, n.d.). II. Developing Concepts (Valdez, 2016) Writing definitions is important in developing concept papers. Definitions serve as a frame of reference for discussions as it provides the meaning of a word or term used in the paper. There are three (3) types of definitions: formal, informal, or extended. Formal sentence definitions include the term or word to be defined, the class or the group where the term belongs, and the distinguishing features or the qualities that make the term unique. While informal definitions do not include distinguishing features and extended definitions are essay-length texts that elaborate the meaning of a term or concept through different rhetorical patterns. The latter define and describe, compare, and contrast, and show cause-and-effect relationships to provide a holistic definition of a term. Example: Term Class Distinguishing features Formal A triangle is a plane figure with three straight bounding sides Informal A triangle has three straight Not available bounding sides III. Parts of a Concept Paper A. For research papers and proposals (Hanover Research, 2017) 1. Introduction - This part identifies how and where the applicant's/writer's mission and the potential sponsor's or funder's mission intersect or align. It addresses why the funder should support the project, introduces the applicant's/writer's partners, and shows why the partners want to participate in the project. 2. Purpose - Also known as the need or rationale, it outlines what others have written about the topic and focuses on the gap in knowledge to be filled, the problem to be solved, or the need to be addressed by the applicant's proposed project Note: The introduction and purpose can be merged into a background section that contains all the elements presented in the two (2) sections mentioned above. 3. Project Description - In this section, the applicant addresses the unique, unusual, distinctive, innovative, and/or novel aspects of the approach, showing why the applicant's team has the best solution and presenting a compelling case for funding. Also included in the project description are the following parts:  Goals and Objectives - A goal is an abstract state of being, a condition, an end, or an aspiration. In contrast, objectives are statements of measurable outcomes that, collectively, will help the applicant measure progress toward accomplishing the project goals.  Methodology and Timelines - Methodology refers to the set of philosophical 04 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 1 of 2  ASSH2005 foundations you used in your chosen research method. It also discusses whether you are using a qualitative or quantitative method.  Benefits/Anticipated Outcomes - It indicates the people who will benefit from the project and how they will benefit. 4. Budget/Support - This section contains either the following: (1) an outline of the main budget categories for the requested project support; (2) a single bottom-line amount of the request and a brief discussion of how that amount will be used. B. Simple concept paper (Valdez, 2016) A simple concept paper's basic goal is to define, illustrate, or explain a concept that could be new, unfamiliar, or controversial. 1. Introduction - This section serves as a hook to the readers. A glimpse of the paper's thesis statement, arguments and/or claims, and purpose should be seen at this part. Also, the following questions should be addressed in the introduction:  What is the issue or problem that needs to be solved?  What is the concept being defined or described? Who is/are the author/s that claim this definition? 2. Body - In this part, the writer should elaborate on the main points of an idea or a concept. Related literature could be presented and analyzed to support the idea being defined. Any conflicting ideas or definitions should also be clarified, and examples should be given to help the readers grasp the concept being discussed. The following questions could help in building the body of the paper:  What are other things used to describe the concept?  Are there images or familiar experiences that may help in the definition?  Are there conflicting definitions or descriptions of the concept? How are these seen in the work? Why did the author use this technique?  What examples are used to illustrate the description/definition of the concept? 3. Conclusion - This part reemphasizes the thesis statement, provides a summary of the body, and relates the concept's importance to a specific field. References: Hanover Research (2017). How to write a concept paper. https://ovpr.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2557/2018/09/How-to-Write-a-Concept- Paper.pdf Saqueton, G. & Uychoco, M. (2016). English for academic and professional purposes. Rex Book Store, Inc. The State University of New York Morrisville (n.d.). What is a concept paper? http://sociology.morrisville.edu/perpetual/Writing/What_Is_A_Concept_Paper.htm. Valdez, P. (2016). English for the globalized classroom series: English for academic and professional purposes. Phoenix Publishing House. 04 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 2 of 2