What is a Concept Paper?
A Concept Paper is a preliminary academic written document that clearly and concisely explains the core idea or concept behind a proposed project, research study, or initiative.
It is a structured summary designed to highlight the significant parts of a potentially more comprehensive piece of work, such as a major research paper, thesis, or development project. Essentially, it serves as a foundation or blueprint.
Purpose of a Concept Paper
Concept papers are crucial in academic and professional environments for several key reasons:
- Obtaining Permission: In high school and college, you will likely be required to submit a concept paper before you are allowed to proceed with your research assignment. This ensures that you have clearly thought through the scope and demands of your writing assignment.
- Securing Funding: Often, concept papers are written as a preliminary step to secure permission or funding to undertake the complete research project from institutions, sponsors, or granting agencies.
- Demonstrating Expertise: The paper allows the writer to demonstrate their familiarity with and passion for the chosen subject, proving they are qualified to conduct the proposed study.
Example Concept Paper Breakdown
Below is an analysis of a sample concept paper structure, demonstrating how these components come together to form a persuasive and clear proposal.
Sample Concept Paper for an Academic Research
Author and Date: Lorena A. Brillo, Ph.D. (UP Open University, December 1, 2017)
1. Background
This section establishes the necessity and context of the proposed study. It articulates the problem or the knowledge gap the research intends to address.
- Problem Statement: Highlights a perceived gap between the need for instructional consultation information and the current services provided by the school, as viewed by students.
- Theoretical Context: Connects the problem to current educational paradigms, specifically the post-modernist, process-oriented concept of education. It references the 21st-century curriculum as generative, outcome-based, and interactive, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue and negotiation between teacher and student.
2. Project Description
This is the core of the proposal, detailing what the project aims to do and what it hopes to achieve.
Objectives
These are the specific, measurable aims of the study:
- To analyze the current instructional consultation program of the higher education unit.
- To assess students’ perception and attitude towards the current instructional consultation process.
Expected Outcomes
This section discusses the potential impact and benefits of the study:
- Improved student-teacher relationships, leading to optimized institutional goals.
- Adoption of improved instructional consultation practices.
- The study could influence policies for students across all disciplines.
- It could change how teachers view their collaborative role in instructional consultation.
Indicators of Achievement
These are the metrics that will be used to determine if the project was successful:
- Increased number of students availing of their instructional consultation privileges.
- Improved consultation rooms (physical space).
- Increased number of teachers rendering consultation beyond their required consultation hours.
Main Activities
This is the methodology section, outlining the major steps and tasks required to execute the research:
- Writing necessary letters and drafting questionnaires.
- Consulting with subject matter experts.
- Distributing questionnaires and collating data.
- Interpreting results and consulting with a statistician.
- Interviewing key respondents.
- Organizing an intra-school visit to learn best practices from peer institutions.
3. Project Needs and Cost (P19,000 Total)
This section details the resources required, particularly important when seeking funding.
- Communication (P12,000.00): Covers travel to and from interview sites, tokens for respondents and consultants, and other incidental expenses. It also includes the professional fee for the statistician.
- Supplies (P7,000.00): Covers books and other learning resources, photocopying expenses, and library fees.
4. Duration and Target Date of Completion
This provides a clear timeline for the project’s execution.
- Timeline: January 1 to June 30, 2018.
