EAPP

concept paper

• A concept paper is a document that outlines an idea or proposal in a clear and concise
manner.
• A concept paper is one of the first steps in helping you fully realize your research project.
• A concept paper is typically a two- to three-page paper that concisely explains a proposed
research project. If the paper is for a funding application, it may be twenty pages or longer.
• In the paper, they demonstrate why their proposed project is worthwhile. The paper covers:
✓ Research goals
✓ Questions the research aims to answer
✓ The research methods the author will use
✓ The types of data that will be collected

• A concept paper is also known as a research proposal. They may be submitted to investors
to secure funding, or a student may submit one to their supervisor before starting a research
project. Through reading a student’s concept paper, an academic supervisor can assess
their project’s feasibility and, if necessary, suggest adjustments the student can make to
improve their project so it’s more realistic or valuable. Similarly, prospective investors can
decide whether a project is something they’d like to support. Undeveloped or unrealistic
projects can end at the concept paper stage.

• When do you need a concept paper?

✓ You need a concept paper to outline a proposed research project. Often, they are
part of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral research proposals. It’s also common
for entrepreneurs and individuals conducting scientific and public-service-related
research to write concept papers to garner support for their work.

Purposes of concept paper

• Clarifying the Idea: The primary purpose of a concept paper is to clearly articulate and define
the core idea or concept behind a proposed project or initiative. This clarity helps stakeholders
understand the project's purpose, objectives, and potential impact.
• Seeking Feedback: Concept papers are often used to solicit feedback and input from
stakeholders, experts, or decision-makers. This feedback is valuable for refining the idea,
identifying potential challenges, and improving the feasibility of the project.
• Securing Funding or Support: Another key purpose of a concept paper is to present a
compelling case for the project, with the aim of securing funding or support. By demonstrating
the need for the project and outlining how it will be implemented, organizations can attract the
necessary resources to move the project forward.

Concept Paper vs. Research Proposal

1. A concept paper is one of the first steps in conducting a research project. It is during this
process that ideas and relevant information to the research topic are gathered to produce
the research hypothesis. Thus, a concept paper should always precede the research
proposal.
2. A research proposal is a more in-depth outline of a more fleshed-out research project. This
is the final step before a researcher can conduct their research project. Although both have
similar elements and structures, a research proposal is more specific when it comes to how
the entire research project will be conducted.
Various kinds of concept paper in regard to strand

STEM
• Academic Research concept papers
- This type of concept paper is the most common type and the one most people are
familiar with. Concept papers for academic research are used by students to provide
an outline for their prospective research topics.
- These concept papers are used to help students flesh out all the information and
ideas related to their topic so that they may arrive at a more specific research
hypothesis.
• Project Concept Paper
- Describes a proposed project or initiative, such as the development of a new
program, intervention, or initiative. It typically includes information about project
goals, scope, methodology, and potential impact.
- These projects may involve experimental studies, fieldwork, data analysis, or the
development of new scientific tools or technologies. Project concept papers typically
detail project goals, scope, methodology, and anticipated outcomes.
• Grant Proposal
- Grant concept papers are similar to research proposals but are specifically tailored
to apply for funding from grant-making organizations, government agencies, or
foundations. They often follow specific guidelines provided by the funding agency and
include details about the project's alignment with the funder's priorities and
requirements.
• Conceptual Design Paper
- In engineering and technology fields, conceptual design papers outline the initial
design concepts and ideas for a new product, system, or solution. These papers may
include conceptual sketches, descriptions of key design features, and
considerations for implementation.
BUSINESS
• Advertising concept papers
- Advertising concept papers are usually written by the creative and concept teams in
advertising and marketing agencies.
- Through a concept paper, the foundation or theme for an advertising campaign or
strategy is formed. The concept paper can also serve as a bulletin board for ideas that
the creative and concept teams can add to or develop.
- This type of concept paper usually discusses who the target audience of the
campaign is, what approach of the campaign will be, how the campaign will be
implemented, and the projected benefits and impact of the campaign to the
company’s sales, consumer base, and other aspects of the company.
• Business Proposal
- Business proposals are foundational documents for proposing new business
ventures, products, or services. They outline the business opportunity, market
analysis, value proposition, revenue model, and implementation plan. Business
proposals are used to seek investment, partnerships, or approval for new business
ideas.
• Strategic Plan Concept Paper
- Strategic concept papers articulate the strategic direction and goals of a business
or organization. They define the mission, vision, values, goals, objectives, and key
initiatives to achieve competitive advantage and long-term success. Strategic
concept papers guide business leaders in making informed decisions and allocating
resources effectively.
• Feasibility Study Concept Paper
- Feasibility concept papers assess the feasibility and viability of proposed business
ventures or projects. They evaluate factors such as market demand, financial
feasibility, technical feasibility, legal considerations, and operational risks
Feasibility concept papers assess the feasibility and viability of proposed business
ventures or projects.. Feasibility studies help entrepreneurs and businesses
determine whether a proposed idea is viable and worth pursuing.
• Financial Plan Concept Paper
- Financial concept papers outline financial projections, budgets, and funding
requirements for business initiatives. They include revenue forecasts, expense
estimates, cash flow analysis, capital investment requirements, and financing
options. Financial concept papers assist businesses in financial planning,
budgeting, and resource allocation.
HUMSS
• Policy Analysis Concept Paper
- Policy concept papers analyze social, economic, or political issues and propose
policy recommendations or interventions to address them. They provide
background information, assess policy options, and offer evidence-based solutions
to complex societal challenges in areas such as public health, education, human
rights, and environmental sustainability.
• Cultural Project Concept Paper
- Concept papers for cultural projects propose initiatives aimed at promoting cultural
awareness, heritage preservation, artistic expression, or community engagement.
They may outline plans for cultural festivals, exhibitions, performances, or
educational programs that celebrate diversity, foster dialogue, and enrich
community life.
• Legal Policy Analysis Concept Paper (Law)
- Concept papers in law may focus on analyzing legal policies, statutes, or judicial
decisions. They may propose changes to existing laws, advocate for new legal
frameworks, or assess the implications of legal developments on society. These
papers provide a theoretical and practical analysis of legal issues and their socio-
political impact.
• Philosophical Inquiry Concept Paper (Philosophy)
- Concept papers in philosophy explore philosophical questions, theories, or
concepts. They may propose new approaches to metaphysics, ethics,
epistemology, or social philosophy. These papers provide a critical examination of
philosophical ideas, arguments, and their implications for understanding the nature
of reality, knowledge, and human existence.
• Political Theory Concept Paper (Politics)
- Concept papers in politics focus on political theories, ideologies, or systems of
governance. They may analyze political ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism,
socialism, or feminism, and their application in contemporary politics. These
papers offer theoretical insights into political phenomena, institutions, and
Processes.
• Religious Studies Concept Paper (Religion)
- Concept papers in religion examine religious beliefs, practices, and traditions. They
may explore theological questions, religious texts, rituals, or spiritual experiences.
These papers provide insights into the diversity of religious traditions, their cultural
significance, and their impact on individuals and societies.

Generalized Structure of a Concept Paper

✓ Since concept papers are just
summaries of your research project,
they are usually short and no longer
than 5 pages. However, for big
research projects, concept papers
can reach up to more than 20 pages.
✓ Your teacher or professor may give
you a certain format for your concept
papers. Generally, most concept
papers are double-spaced and are
less than 500 words in length.
✓ Even though there are different types
of concept papers, we’ve provided
you with a generalized structure that
contains elements that can be found
in any type of concept paper.

PARTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER

1. Title
- The title for your paper must be able to effectively summarize what your research is all about. Use
simple words so that people who read the title of your research will know what it’s all about even
without reading the entire paper.
2. Introduction
The introduction should give the reader a brief background of the research topic and state the main
objective that your project aims to achieve. This section should also include a short overview of the
benefits of the research project to persuade the reader to acknowledge the need for the project.
3. Purpose of the Study
The Purpose of the Study should be written in a way that convinces the reader of the need to address
the existing problem or gap in knowledge that the research project aims to resolve. In this section,
you have to go into more detail about the benefits and value of your project for the target
audience/s.
4. Preliminary Literature Review
This section features related studies and papers that will support your research topic. Use this
section to analyze the results and methodologies of previous studies and address any gaps in
knowledge or questions that your research project aims to answer. You may also use the data to
assert the importance of conducting your research.

When choosing which papers and studies you should include in the Preliminary Literature Review,
make sure to choose relevant and reliable sources. Reliable sources include academic journals,
credible news outlets, government websites, and others. Also, take note of the authors for the
papers as you will need to cite them in the References section.
5. Objectives of the Study
Simply state the main objectives that your research is trying to achieve. The objectives should be
able to indicate the direction of the study for both the reader and the researcher. As with other
elements in the paper, the objectives should be specific and clearly defined.
6. Research Questions and Hypotheses
Gather the research questions and equivalent research hypotheses you formulated in the earlier
step and list them down in this section.
7. Proposed Methodology
In this section, you should be able to guide the reader through the process of how you will conduct
the research project. Make sure to state the purpose for each step of the process, as well as the
type of data to be collected and the target population.
8. Proposed Research Timeline
Depending on the nature of your research project, the length of the entire process can vary
significantly. What’s important is that you are able to provide a reasonable and achievable timeline
for your project.
Make sure the time you will allot for each component of your research won’t be too excessive or too
insufficient so that the quality of your research won’t suffer.
9. References
Ensure that you will give credit to all the authors of the sources you used in your paper. Depending
on your area of study or the instructions of your professor, you may need to use a certain style of
citation.

There are three main citation styles:

American Psychological Association (APA)
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Chicago style.

The APA style is mostly used for papers related to education, psychology, and the sciences. The
APA citation style usually follows this format:

The MLA citation style is the format used by papers and manuscripts in disciplines related
to the arts and humanities. The MLA citation style follows this format:

The Chicago citation style is usually used for papers related to business, history, and
the fine arts. It follows this citation format:

Tips for writing a concept paper

1. Write to your audience
- A concept paper is a piece of academic writing, so use a professional tone. Avoid
colloquialisms, slang, and other conversational language. Your concept paper
should use the same tone and style as your accompanying research paper.
- Write according to your reader’s familiarity with the subject of your concept paper.
For example, if you’re proposing an IT project and your intended reader is the head
of your university’s IT department, you can use technical jargon they will
understand. If the intended reader is somebody in a non-technical role, avoid jargon
and make sure you define every vocabulary word that might not be familiar to them.
By ensuring your reader understands your concept paper, you increase the
likelihood of them approving your project.
2. Use an engaging, accurate title
- Just like a clear, intriguing subject line increases the likelihood of a recipient reading
an email, an engaging title increases the likelihood of your reader not only reading
your concept paper but understanding it. Choose a title that’s concise (fewer than
15 words or so) and accurately reflects your paper’s content. After reading your
paper’s title, your reader should not be surprised by your proposed research.
3. Keep it to an appropriate length
- If you’re a student writing a concept paper for an undergraduate, master’s, or
doctoral project, two to three pages is generally the right length for your paper. Don’t
worry about getting too detailed about the specifics of your research; a high-level
overview is sufficient.
- Concept papers meant to secure funding from investors can be longer than
academic concept papers.

How is a concept paper different from a research paper?

✓ The main difference between a concept paper and a research paper is when they’re written in
relation to a research project. A concept paper is written before its author begins their research,
and a research paper is written after they’ve completed it. In other words, a concept paper
introduces readers to its author’s academic project, and a research paper explains the outcome
of the project.
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According to Merriam- Webster DictionarY:

-to elucidate means to make something clear and understandable.
-Elucidation is really just a fancy name for an "explanation”

PURPOSES OF CONCEPT ELUCIDATION

1.To clarify meaning of words, or to correct misinterpretations, or misuse of a term.
2. To define a term by adjusting its usual meaning or using a term from another field
in a specific manner.

3 WAYS OF ELUCIDATING A CONCEPT:

1.By definition: This means explaining what a concept is in straightforward terms.
It's like saying, "This is what it is."
3 classifications of
defining a concept
1.Formal-Follows a pattern or equation: term + genus + differentia
(differentiating characteristics) Ex. A robot is a machine that looks
like a human being and performs complex acts of a human being (Webster)
2.Informal- • The writer uses known words or examples to explain an unknown term.
• These definitions may be synonyms or antonyms introduced by.
3.Extended- • Is needed to define abstract concepts.
• Allows to broaden your definition by using:
1. analogy
2. metaphor
3. comparison and contrast
4. description
5. analysis
6. function
-Use an analogy to define the concept of life.
-Use metaphor to define the concept of time.
Other Techniques of Defining a Concept
By Synonym- Using a word or phrase that shares ameaning with the term being defined.
By origin or semantic history- Yoga comes from theSanskrit word which means "to join”.
By illustration- Known for shedding their leaves in the fall, deciduous trees include oaks, maples and
beeches. Ex. Patience is a child waiting in line for their turn on a swing at the playground. Despite
their eagerness to have a turn, they patiently wait without complaining, understanding that they'll
eventually get their chance.
By function- A thermometer measures temperature change.
By analysis- Breaking down wholes into parts, aspects into levels, and a process into steps
By contrast- • Use of opposites Unlike dictatorship, which concentrates power in the hands of a single
individual or group, democracy distributes power among citizens through voting and representation.
By negation- Stating what a term is not.ex.Contrary to popular belief, tofu is not made from animal
products but rather from coagulated soy milk.

2. By EXPLICATION: is about making complex ideas more understandable by breaking them down into
simpler parts and providing clear explanations for each part.
There are 2 approaches of explication:
1.Involves providing a detailed explanation or clarification of the concept's meaning, characteristics,
and components. It aims to elucidate the concept by breaking it down into its constituent parts,
offering examples, and highlighting its significance or relevance.
2. A method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or phrases are taken from a literary or
academic work then interpreted and explained in a detailed way

3.By CLARIFICATION:The analysis of the concept is done by looking at the examples and specifying its
characteristics.
-With Signal Words for Clarification
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Academic writing- refers to a style of expression that researchers use to define the intellectual
boundaries of their disciplines and their specific areas of expertise. Like specialist languages adopted
in other professions, such as, law or medicine, academic writing is designed to convey agreed
meaning about complex ideas or concepts for a group of scholarly experts.

Academic text- is a kind of text that is commonly characterized with being formal, researched,
objective, technical, and has the ability to influence its readers.

ACADEMIC WRITING FEATURES

CHARACTERISTICS SPECIFIC FEATURE

STRUCTURE logical, properly outlined & follows a format
TONE formal
DICTION concrete word/s within a particular discipline/field
LANGUAGE concise, formal, and express precisely the meaning
CONVENTION a list of references or the source of any ideas
CONTENT contexts, ideas, theories, analyses and evidences

examples of academic texts

LONG ESSAYS SHORT ESSAYS
Textbooks critical analyses
Journals position papers
Dissertations reaction papers
Theses argumentative essays
research articles reviews
case studies
reports

STRUCTURE
/ logical
/ properly outlined
/ follows a format

-FORMAL-
Avoid contractions.
didn’t did not
it’s it is
shouldn’t should not
Avoid being wordy.
“My classmates and I were already given the opportunity to be trained in TESDA’s Electrical and
Installation Maintenance Training last year…”
“My classmates and I were already allowed to be trained in TESDA’s Electrical and Installation
Maintenance Training last year…”
Avoid redundancy.
“Write your own resume using the format below.”
“Write your resume using the format below.”
Avoid emotional language.
-OBJECTIVE-
-Emphasize things and ideas instead of people and feelings.
-Avoid evaluative words that are non-technical judgments and feelings.
-Avoid intense or emotional evaluative language.
-Show caution about your views, or to allow room for others to agree.
-Find authoritative sources supporting your point of view.
-TECHNICAL-
-Take note of terminology used in a discipline or specialization.
-Be careful of technical terms.
-Use key categories and relationships in discipline.
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Summarizing outlining
Content organization
condensed version hierarchical order
own words important details
Summarizing: -It is stating a work’s thesis and main ideas “simply, briefly, and accurately”.
-It is expressing the most important acts or ideas in a short and clear form.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER:
SUMMARIZING
-Pick out important details that are necessary.
-Pick out the less important or repeated ideas and eliminate them.
-Highlight the important details using keywords.
-List key words in the order they appeared in the passage.
-Trim the list of key words down to one topic sentence.
SYNTHESIZING
-Combine elements of several sources to help make a point.
-Describe how sources converse with each other.
-Organize similar ideas together so readers can understand how they overlap.
-Add your own new ideas to existing knowledge.

ABSTRACT IS A SUMMARY
An abstract typically contains four elements:
-research focus;
-research methods;
-results;
-main conclusions, and
recommendations.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IS A SUMMARY
-It is seen at the beginning of a business report, proposal, and plan.
-It summarizes the entire content, highlighting the central points of the document.
SYNOPSIS IS A SUMMARY
It is a summary of a composition like a book, movie, TV show, or academic paper. A synopsis is often
written but can also take verbal or visual form. It includes information about the story's main events
and style along with information about the characters.

Outlining: -It visualizes the paper’s potential structure.

-It helps organize ideas.
-It connects information supporting thesis statement and evidences.
-It shows relationships and hierarchies with the content.

A GOOD OUTLINE INCLUDES:

Usually, it is in the form of a list divided into headings and subheadings that distinguish main points
from supporting points.
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THESIS STATEMENT: -A thesis statement is the sentence that expresses the argument or claim of the
writer on the topic. It is the main idea that controls the flow and organization of information in the
reading text.

-A thesis statement informs the readers of the content, the argument, and often the direction of a
paper.

-central idea -declares position -explicit

-implicit -further analysis -how you interpret significance of the issue
-debatable -road map
WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO CONSIDER?
1. A thesis statement is a declarative sentence.
Thesis statements are not titles or fragments, questions and commands.
2. A thesis statement is an arguable idea.
Thesis statements are not facts, not announcements of the author's purpose and not merely
observations of the obvious and not unarguable personal opinions.
3. Thesis statement is specific and narrowed.
Thesis statements are not broad over generalizations, cover only one topic and often focus the essay
and guide its direction.
4. Thesis statements are worthy of development in an academic paper and interest an adult
audience. Thesis statements are not simplistic, not immature or tasteless.
5. Thesis statements are concise.

HOW IS A THESIS STATEMENT WRITTEN?

1. Decide on your topic.
2. Narrow your topic.
3. Put your topic in a sentence.
4. Add your argument, viewpoint, or opinion to your topic to make your thesis persuasive.
5. Elaborate on your thesis.
6. Organize your thesis to guide the direction of your paper.
7. Check your thesis from the “Things to Consider” discussion.
8. Edit your thesis for content, word choice, precision, and mechanics.
WRITING A THESIS
1. broad topic
2. narrowed/specific topic
3. topic sentence
4. viewpoint/opinion about the specified topic
5. refinement/elaborated thesis based on the RULES discussed
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WRITING A CRITIQUE

Literary criticism :
-is the art or practice of judging and commenting on the qualities and character of literary works or
works of art.
-The analysis of a literary text though various lenses that highlight authorial stance, purpose, and
perspective.

“Everyone who expresses an opinion about a book,

a song, a play, or a movie is a critic,
but not everyone’s opinion is based upon thought,
reflection, analysis, or consistently articulated principles.”
(Lund, 1996)

Creative Works:
(novels, exhibits, film, images, poetry)
Research:
(monographs, journal articles, systematic reviews, theories)
Media:
(news reports, feature articles)
Writing a critique on a work helps us to develop:
-a knowledge of the work’s subject area or related works.
-an understanding of the work’s purpose, intended audience, development of argument, structure of
the evidence, or creative style.
-a recognition of the strengths and weaknesses of the work.

-TRADITIONAL LITERARY APPROACHES

-HISTORICAL-BIOGRAPHICAL:
content-------------------------author
author’s historical context
(values and events)
ex. Anne frank the diary of a young girl), el filibusterismo and noli me tangere

-MORAL-PHILOSOPHICAL:
teach morality. probe philosophical issues such as ethics, religion, or the nature of humanity.
Philosophical critics will sometimes attackauthors for degenerate, decadent, or unethical writings.
ex. Aesop fables, parables and harry potter

FORMALISM
the meaning of the work
structures patterns
figurative language imagery and motifs
juxtaposition of scenes, tone, and other literary techniques

NEW LITERARY APPROACHES

-PSYCHOLOGICAL CRITICISM: authors personality,mindset, feelings, desire
behavior-investigate the psychology of the characters and their motives in order to figure out
the work’s meanings
-FEMINIST CRITICISM: examines images of women and concepts of the feminine in myth and
literature
-SOCIOLOGICAL or MARXIST CRITICISM: man’s relationship to others in society, politics, religion, and
business
(Marx argues that there are inequalities in society based on social class differences. Also, toimprove
society and make it fairer, there needs to be large-scale change.)

READER-RESPONSE
reviewer’s reaction readers and text= meaning
As a reader, while critically reading something you need to explore:
-theme and purpose of the text
-explain why or why not you like the text
-flaws in the plot
-explain if you agree with the writer’s perspective or if you disagree with it
How to write a critique:
1. Source/Reference = textbooks, journals, literary piece, article, essay, performance or
production, artwork, designs
2. Objective = analyzes and evaluates content of the literary work/article/artwork
(strengths and weaknesses, structure, design)
IBBBC

Critique is a form of analysis that uses critical thinking, to determine whether a design is expected to
achieve its desired objectives.

Critique does not react instantly. Also, it doesn’t involve feelings when seeing something (emotional
feedback).
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A CRITIQUE
I. Introduction
define the subject of your critique
background of the subject
designer/director/author information
design/output’s purpose
II. Main body
Begin with a brief description of the design/output. (price possibly, concept, aesthetics used, usability)
Discuss the strengths.
Discuss the weaknesses.
Things to look at to help you decide these include:
(STRENGTHS)
- How appropriate was the design or output for general audience?
- Is it supported by a literary criticism approach? What approach? Why?
- If it advances, what new knowledge does it bring?
(WEAKNESSES)
- Does it have negative impact to the general audience? What are these? Indicate.
- What discourteous element/s that the design indicate?
III. Conclusion
Make final positive and negative criticisms on the design or output.
Indicate your suggestions for the improvement of the work.