How to Write a Concept Paper in 7 Steps
Before you can write a research paper, or begin your research, you may have to write a concept paper.
A concept paper is a short academic paper that explains the research you plan to conduct. It covers your research goals, how you’ll carry out the research, how you’ll collect data, and the questions you aim to answer through your research.
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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
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
7 steps for writing a concept paper
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 proposed project aims to answer, or it can be a short statement that summarizes the paper.
2 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. After explaining these, state which of these knowledge gaps you aim to fill with your research. This section should also mention any contradictory theories regarding the questions you aim to answer.
3 Mission statement
Your 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. Remember, the goal is to get your project approved—so your mission statement should communicate why the reader’s approval will benefit your field.
4 Research aim
Your concept paper also needs to address the reason why you’re conducting the specific research you’ve planned. This 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
5 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:
- Experiments
- Case studies
- Observations
This section should also include any ethical concerns that could arise during the research period.
6 Outline of proposed methods and potential impact
After describing your proposed methodology, write a section that discusses exactly how you’ll conduct your research using these methods. Be as specific as possible—if you plan to utilize resources like specialized equipment or collaborate with an expert in your field, include this information in this section. 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. For example, you might conduct a study on undergraduate sleep schedules and publish a paper that supports campus-wide policy changes that promote healthy sleep cycles for students who live on campus.
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.
Tips for writing a concept paper
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.
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.
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.
Concept paper FAQs
A concept paper is often a two- to three-page paper that concisely explains a proposed research project.
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.
What are the main steps of writing a concept paper?
Write an engaging, accurate title
- Outline the problem you aim to solve
- Write a mission statement
- Explain your research aim
- Explain your research methodology
- Explain your research methods and the potential impact of your work
- Discuss your project’s budget and how it will be allocated
While a concept paper introduces a proposed research project by outlining its purpose, process, and goals, a research paper discusses a completed project in detail.
COMMENTS
Additionally, infographics and scientific illustrations can enhance the document's impact and engagement with the audience. The steps to write a concept paper are as follows: 1. Write a Crisp Title: Choose a clear, descriptive title that encapsulates the main idea. The title should express the paper's content.
Concept Paper vs. Research Proposal. Getting Started on Your Concept Paper. 1. Find a research topic you are interested in. Tips for finding your research topic. 2. Think of research questions that you want to answer in your project. 3. Formulate your research hypothesis.
In this concept paper we describe a framework (a 3 x 3 model of 21st-century learning) for guiding our discussion on the substance of STEM education. This framework is based on research conducted by and reported in Kereluik, Mishra, Fanhoe, & Terry (2013). Further details are provided in the end notes. In this concept paper we describe this ...
follow these steps: 1. Concept paper title. Every pa per must have a title and concept paper is not left out as one needs to have a title that. summarizes what the paper is about. The title should ...
to interest potential funders. to develop potential solutions or investigations into project ideas. to determine whether a project idea is fundable. to serve as the foundation of a full proposal. Funders that request concept papers often provide a template or format. If templates or formats are not provided, the following can serve as a useful ...
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.
The first crucial step in crafting your concept paper is to clearly define the study title and its objectives. This sets the foundation for your entire paper and helps guide your research direction. Begin by crafting a clear and concise title that effectively communicates the essence of your study. Your title should be descriptive yet succinct ...
A concept paper is often used to generate feedback and guidance from a program officer before a full grant proposal is developed. In most cases, the program officer will be, or will have been, a researcher, clinician, or scholar, like yourself. Before you start writing, think about the Golden Rule and the kind of project summary you'd like to ...
Concept paper: Early Childhood Education and Care Context Early childhood education and care (ECEC), as defined by UNESCO, is the "holistic development of a child's social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing." Extensive academic
A concept paper is a short document written by a researcher before starting their research project, with the purpose of explaining what the study is about, why it is important and the methods that will be used. The concept paper will include your proposed research title, a brief introduction to the subject, the aim of the study, the research ...
Oxfam IBIS Concept Paper: Education and Gender, version 1, March 1st, 2017 This series of concept papers was introduced June 1st, 2014 with the target audience being Oxfam IBIS staff and management as well as partners and stakeholders. The papers have been developed through a participatory process and are living documents to be revised whenever ...
Funders that request concept papers often provide a template or format. If templates or formats are not provided, the following can serve as a useful concept paper structure. THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER 1. The first section, the Introduction, identifies how and where the applicant's mission and the funder's mission intersect or align.
1. To explore and expand an idea: Researchers can use concept papers to transform an incipient research idea into a focused, high-quality study proposal. The paper is also a means to obtain feedback that can be used to strengthen a detailed proposal at a later stage. 2. To draw the interest of funding agencies: Through an effective concept ...
A concept paper differs from a research paper in its purpose and scope. While a concept paper outlines a project idea, seeking approval or funding with a focus on potential impact and methodology, a research paper presents detailed findings from completed research, including analysis and results.
Concept Paper (Revised) - Free download as Word Doc (.doc / .docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. This document discusses the use of technological tools and social media platforms to develop effective instructional materials during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to identify the impact of these tools on material development and differentiate online from traditional ...
This document provides a concept paper for a research project that aims to analyze the current instructional consultation program and assess students' perceptions of it at a higher education institution. The project objectives are to improve student-teacher relationships and instructional consultation practices in line with institutional goals. Main activities will include distributing ...
This series of Oxfam IBIS concept papers define the Oxfam IBIS' understanding and approach in key areas. Each paper contains the following sections: Justifi cation for Oxfam IBIS' work on the issue. Brief overview of relevant theories and definitions. Presentation of Oxfam IBIS' approach and lessons learned. References to further ...
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Children and advertising. Surrogate mothers. We offer cheap, professional research paper writing help for college and university students. Get your paper done now! Our professional writers have put together a list of 40 concept papers topics to stir your imagination. Let your titles attract readers today.
CONCEPT PAPER ON QUALITY EDUCATION Empowerment for Life (E4L) has a holistic approach to education in particular and to development as a whole. By holistic, it means looking at the whole human being (psychologically, intellectually, physically and morally). ... The report cited North Dayi in the Volta Region of Ghana as an example, that ...
Concept Paper. Subject: LS 314 (Language Planning) Submitted to: Dr. Faith Miguel. Submitted by: Edgar R. Eslit. Introduction. Language planning is a deliberate effort to influence the function ...
The Five Elements of a Concept Paper. The first section, the Introduction, identifies how and where the applicant's mission and the funder's mission intersect or align. It addresses the reasons why this funder should support projects in this general area. It also introduces the applicant's partners and shows why the partners want to ...
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