CONCEPT PAPER

Hiponia, Kristine Mae

Taperla, Jayah
Abuhon, Argie
Bragat, Katrice Pearl
 WHAT IS A CONCEPT PAPER?

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

7 STEPS FOR WRITING
A CONCEPT PAPER
 TITLE

A concept paper’s title should directly

express the paper’s content. Think of it as
a preview for the reader. The title can be
the question the statement proposed
project aims to answer, or it can be a short
statement that summarizes the paper.
INTRODUCTION OUTLINING
PROBLEM AND GAPS IN
KNOWLEDGE

In the introduction section, provide

an overview of your research
project. This should include a short
overview of the current state of
your research area and existing
gaps in this area.
MISSION STATEMENT

Concept paper’s introduction should

also include a mission statement.
This is a sentence or two that
concisely states your research purpose
in an engaging way.
RESEARCH AIM

Concept paper also needs to address the reason

why you’re conducting the specific research
planned. The part, along with the following two
sections, are sometimes grouped together as a
concept paper’s project description.

In this section, cover the following:

• The reason why your research is important
• The questions you aim to answer through your research
METHODOLOGY
A concept paper also needs to discuss the methodology you
plan to use while conducting your research. This is the strategy
or strategies you will use to collect data, such as:
• Surveys
• Experiments
• Case studies
• Interview
• Observations
OUTLINING OF PROPOSED METHODS
AND POTENTIAL IMPACT

In this section, outline how long you expect the

research to take and note the specific milestones
you plan to hit during that time frame.
This section should also discuss your research’s
potential impact. Discuss who your research and
results will impact and how it will impact them.
SUPPORT

A concept paper also needs to include a

section that addresses the project’s
budget. The section should explain the
overall cost and break it down into
individual expenses so readers can see
exactly how the money will be spent.