INTRODUCTION TO DOCTORAL

CONCEPT NOTE AND

PROPOSAL

Presented by R. M. Jingura 1
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Presented by R. M. Jingura 2
 STEP 1
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

• Professional growth
Why should I do an Necessity of • Alternatives
DPhil/MPhil?
doing a DPhil • Feasibility

Presented by R. M. Jingura 3
 STEP 2
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

• Investment in time
and energy must
What is the relevance have maximum
of my research area
Importance of benefits
and is it important? research area • Fit into a research
theme

Presented by R. M. Jingura 4
 STEP 3
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

Does supervisor have

right academic skills? Choice of right • Department where
you will register
Can I work with
him/her?
Supervisor

Presented by R. M. Jingura 5
 STEP 4
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

• Direction of research
What resources are
available for my
Available in the Department
• Other research
research area?
resources being done in the
field

Presented by R. M. Jingura 6
 STEP 5
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

What are the • Familiarise with

University rules and University rules and
regulations for a regulations
DPhil/MPhil? requirements • Have your papers
ready

Presented by R. M. Jingura 7
 STEP 6
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

What are the

important issues to
Develop • Good writing skills

highlight? concept note • Focus-oriented

Presented by R. M. Jingura 8
 STEP 7
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

Assessment of
concept note

Presented by R. M. Jingura 9
 STEP 8
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

What issues were

raised in the concept
Development • Be able to explain
everything you
note? of full proposal include in the
proposal

Presented by R. M. Jingura 10
 STEP 9
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

Registration

Presented by R. M. Jingura 11
 STEP 10
QUESTIONS TO ASK ISSUE SALIENT FACTORS

• Stick to work plan

What are the
milestones in my work
Project
• Do progress reports
plan? Implementation
• Look out for
emerging issues

Presented by R. M. Jingura 12
WHAT IS A CONCEPT NOTE?

Presented by R. M. Jingura 13
• Also known as a concept paper

• A summary of a proposal

• An abridged version of a proposal

• Ideally about 3 pages long

Presented by R. M. Jingura 14
 FORMAT
1. Title page
2. Introduction
2.1 Background to the study
2.2 Statement of the problem
2.3 Justification of study
2.4 Objectives
Presented by R. M. Jingura 15
3. Review of Literature

4. Methodology

5. Work plan

6. Budget

7. References

Presented by R. M. Jingura 16
 PREPARATION OF A CONCEPT
NOTE
• Sections are not linear
• Easier to start with the objectives
• Then inputs (helps with budget)
• Followed by activities
• Then work plan
• Do the budget
• Then do the rest
• Reorganise at the end
Presented by R. M. Jingura 17
PLAN

Presented by R. M. Jingura 18
• Objective: Attain a PhD by 2015
Activity Timeframe (months)
1-6 7-12 13-18 19-36

Identify research area

Identify suitable supervisor
Literature review
Seek for possible funding
Establish external contacts
Develop project concept note
Register for PhD
Publish review article
TARGET OUTPUT
ACTUAL OUTPUT
VARIANCE
Presented by R. M. Jingura 19
END
Presented by R. M. Jingura 20