WRITING A

CONCEPT PAPER
6.53

Ernesto C. Alaan Jr.

SST-II
 CONCEPT PAPER
All research projects need a concept
paper: a short summary that tells the reader
what the project is, why it is important, and
how it will be carried out. Even if no one else
ever reads it, the concept paper helps a
researcher spot holes in her or his project
that might later prove fatal. It is far better to
be clear at the beginning than to put in a lot
of effort for nothing!

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TYPICALLY, A CONCEPT PAPER CONTAINS THESE ELEMENTS:
1. A title in the form of a question.
This may be the last part of the concept
paper that you write, but it should
appear at the heading of the paper.
2. Clarity
A clear description of the research
topic, including a summary of what is
already known about that topic.
3. A one-sentence statement of
the research question that the
project will seek to answer.
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4. A demonstration of why it is important to answer
this research question.
What good comes of this answer?
Why is this project worth writing?
5. A description of how the
researcher plans to answer the
research question.
(This is almost always something that is not
known.) The concept paper should elaborate
on how this question can be answered --
something that almost always takes more
than one sentence to accomplish. 3
 This includes:
a. a description of the data or
evidence that the researcher plans
to gather or use;
b. a description of how the
researcher will analyze these data;
and
c. a demonstration of how these
data and this analytic method will
answer the research question.
 
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 REMEMBER:
- Concept papers should range from 1 - 2 double-spaced pages
(250-500 words).
- The point of a concept paper is to provide a clear summary of
the research project. It should enable a casual reader to
understand what the researcher is investigating, why it is
important, and how the investigation will proceed.

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- A definition usually forms the core of a concept paper.
- This definition may consist of the original meaning of
the term/concept, especially one of foreign
borrowing, and the modifications on its original
meaning.
- The later and present-day uses of the word clarify the
concept further.

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 THREE WAYS IN EXPLAINING A CONCEPT

1. Definition
 To clarify meaning of words, or to correct misinterpretations, or
misuse of a term.
 To stipulate the meaning of a term by limiting, extending, or
redirecting the sense in which a term is usually understood; to use a
term,borrowed from another field of knowledge, in a special way.
Ex: “Window dressing” – used to make a shop window more attractive
to buyers.
Stipulatively used in a false banking report to deceptively project an
impression of economic stability or financial growth.

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 Techniques in Definition
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. By synonym- using a word or phrase that shares a meaning with the

term being defined. Ex: Hashish – marijuana.
3. By origin or semantic history – Ex. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit “to
join”
4. By Illustration – Ex: Known for their shedding their leaves in the fall,
deciduous trees include oaks, maples, and beeches.

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 5. By function – Ex: A thermometer measures temperature change.
6. By analysis (Breaking down wholes into parts, aspects into levels,
and a process into steps)
Ex: The republican form of government has three
branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary.
7. By likeness or similarity – Ex: Brighter than 100million suns, quasars
stand like beacons on the shore of the universe...

8. By analogy or metaphor –Ex: The germs and bacteria or antigens

are like a gang of villains invading our body, attacking our unseen
defenders, the layers of macrophages, cytokines, and lymphocytes.
9. By contrast- use of opposites
Ex: Unlike those of gas, the particles of plasma are electrically charged.

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 10. By negation – stating what a term is not.
Ex: Wild rice, an American delicacy, is not rice at all but the
seed of a tall aquatic grass.
11. Informal- is done through a parenthetical or brief
explanation.
Ex: Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil,
fish and nuts.
12. Extended Definition- a detailed way of defining a term
and is usually composed of at least one paragraph. It
incorporates various patterns of development.

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 2. EXPLICATION
 Method of explanation in which sentences,
verses, quotes, or passages are taken from a
literary or academic work and then
interpreted and explain in a detailed way.
 When using this technique, you need to
clearly present your thesis in the introduction
and follow it up with a detailed analysis of a
passage or text.
 Your explication should end with a concise
conclusion by restating your thesis and major
arguments

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 The Scarlet Letter (by Nathaniel Hawthorne)
Nathaniel Hawthorne opens his novel, The Scarlet
Letter, with a paragraph that depicts a crowd assembled
in front of a prison door. The people are waiting for
Hester Prynne to show up with her scarlet letter “A.” The
author describes the crowd as a “throng,” suggesting a
mob-like and densely packed group. The mood is not
pleasant, but somber – displayed by their “sad-colored”
garments, hoods, and gray hats.
Another interesting description about the men’s hats
is that they were “steeple-crowned,” which suggests that
the people of the town are associated with the church
that had punished Hester. The author’s description of
women as “intermixed” with men, alludes to the people
in town lacking individuality. The use of passive voice
 “was assembled” further implies lack of individuality.

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 3. Clarification

 method of explanation in which the points are

organized from a general abstract idea to specific
and concrete examples.
 it entails the analysis of the concept by looking at
the examples and specifying some of its
characteristics to arrive at one working definition
which can be used throughout the paper.

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SUMMARY OF METHODS USED FOR INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS
AN INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH PUTS AIDA ON A PEDESTAL: ATTRACTS
THE READERS’ ATTENTION, AROUSES INTEREST AND DESIRE TO READ,
AND GOADS THE READER TO ACT ACCORDINGLY, I.E., GOADS HIM/HER TO
READ THE PAPER.
 1. Ask a question.
2. Use an anecdote.
3. Use a quotation.
4. Stress the significance of topic.
5. Give a brief overview.
6. Use a combination of methods.

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SUMMARY OF PARAGRAPH PATTERNS FOR SUPPORTING
DETAILS:
1. Use examples or illustrations
2. Use comparison and/or contrast
3. Use a definition
4. Use analysis
5. Use an anecdote or brief story
6. Use classification and division
7. Use a combination of methods

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 PARTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER FOR A PROJECT
1. Cover Page
 State the name of the
proponents and their
affiliations.
 State the addresses, contact
numbers, and email addresses
of the proponents.
 State the head of the agency
and his/her contact information.
 State the date of submission.
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2. Introduction 3. Rationale or Background
 State the information about the funding
agency to show that you understand
 State the gap in
the mission.
 State the mission of the agency that the knowledge to be
proponents represent and align it to the
funding agency’s mission. Also, state addressed by the
the year the proponents’ agency was
project.
established, it major accomplishments,
and other details that demonstrate its  State the problems to
capability to undertake the proposed
project. be solved.
 Present and describe other partner
 State the project’s
agencies and why they are qualified as
such. significance.
 Provide reasons why the funding
agency should support the project.
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 PARTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER FOR A PROJECT

4. Project Description 5. Project Needs and Cost

 State the goals and objectives  Outline the main
of the project. budget; include the
 Present the methodology
(sometimes termed as Action
item description and
Plan, Project Activities, or the amount.
Approach).  Explain or justify how
 Present the timeline the budget will be used.
expressed in months and year.
 State the benefit or
 List the personnel or
anticipated outcomes. equipment needed for
 State how success of the project.
outcomes will be evaluated.

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 CONCEPT PAPER FOR
ACADEMIC
RESEARCH

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 1. TITLE PAGE

 State your research title.

 State your name and school
 State the date of submission

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 2. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
 Provide the current state of the field you are researching on.
 State the gap in knowledge and problems to be addressed
by the research. Provide statistics and previous studies to
prove your claims,
 State the reasons why you want to investigate on the
chosen topic.
 State the theoretical and practical implications of your
proposed research.

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 3. PRELIMINARY LITERATURE REVIEW
 Provide a theoretical framework. The theoretical framework
includes the theory that will guide you in the conduct of
your research.
 Provide related literature that supports your topic.
 Provide related studies that will help you in conducting the
research or analyzing and discussed the data.
 Provide a brief synthesis of the reviewed literature and
studies.

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 4. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM/ OBJECTIVES

 State your general problem in one sentence.

 State your specific research questions or objectives.

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 5. ABRIDGED METHODOLOGY
 Provide the context and participants of the
study.
 Provide the instruments to be used.
 Provide the data collection procedure.
 Provide the data analysis scheme to be used.

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6. Timeline
 Provide a timeline set in months and year.

7. References
 Provide a list of all books, journals, and
other resources cited in your paper.

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 GUIDELINES IN
WRITING A CONCEPT
PAPER

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 1. COST AND METHODOLOGY SHOULD BE REASONABLE.

2. THE BUDGET, METHODOLOGY, AND TIMELINES SHOULD BE CLEARLY ALIGNED.

3. USE STATISTICS AND FIGURES WHEN DISCUSSING THE RATIONALE FOR THE
PROJECT.

4. USE NO MORE THAN FIVE PAGES (SINGLE-SPACED) EXCLUDING THE COVER

PAGE. DO NOT OVERWHELM THE READERS WITH DETAILS.

5. NEVER REQUEST FUNDING FOR PLANNING THE PROPOSAL.

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6. ADJUST YOUR LANGUAGE TO THE INTENDED READERS. YOU MAY USE TECHNICAL TERMS IF
READERS ARE SCHOLARS AND SCIENTIST. HOWEVER, REFRAIN FROM USING JARGON WHEN YOUR
TARGET READERS ARE LAY PERSONS.

7. INCLUDE THE OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET IF IT IS REQUIRED. IF NOT, THEN SKIP THE BUDGET
SECTION. IN PLACE OF THIS, YOU MAY SIMPLY INCLUDE THE TYPE OF SUPPORT YOU MAY NEED
SUCH AS PERSONNEL, TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATION, AND EQUIPMENT.

8. BE SURE THAT BASIC FORMAT DETAILS, SUCH AS PAGE NUMBERS, ARE INCORPORATED.

9. CITE YOUR REFERENCES.

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THANK YOU FOR
6.53
LISTENING!