The Concept Paper

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The Concept Paper
English for Academic and Professional Purposes (STI West Negros University)
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The Concept Paper

I. Definition
 A concept paper, according to Dadufalza (1996), cited in Saqueton and Uychoco (2016),
defines an idea or a concept and explains its essence to clarify the "whatness" of that idea or
concept. Concept papers answer the question: What is it? And What about it?
 Aside from that, concept papers are also used to summarize a research project or a project
proposal. It tells the reader what the project is, why it is important, and how it will be carried
out (The State University of New York Morrisville, n.d.).
II. Developing Concepts (Valdez, 2016)

Writing definitions is important in developing concept papers. Definitions serve as a frame of
reference for discussions as it provides the meaning of a word or term used in the paper.
There are three (3) types of definitions: formal, informal, or extended. Formal sentence
definitions include the term or word to be defined, the class or the group where the term belongs,
and the distinguishing features or the qualities that make the term unique. While informal
definitions do not include distinguishing features and extended definitions are essay-length texts
that elaborate the meaning of a term or concept through different rhetorical patterns. The latter
define and describe, compare, and contrast, and show cause-and-effect relationships to provide a
holistic definition of a term.
Example:
Term Class Distinguishing features
Formal A triangle is a plane figure with three straight
bounding sides
Informal A triangle has three straight Not available
bounding sides
III.Parts of a Concept Paper

A. For research papers and proposals (Hanover Research, 2017)
1. Introduction - This part identifies how and where the applicant's/writer's mission and the
potential sponsor's or funder's mission intersect or align. It addresses why the funder
should support the project, introduces the applicant's/writer's partners, and shows why the
partners want to participate in the project.
2. Purpose - Also known as the need or rationale, it outlines what others have written about
the topic and focuses on the gap in knowledge to be filled, the problem to be solved, or
the need to be addressed by the applicant's proposed project
Note: The introduction and purpose can be merged into a background section that
contains all the elements presented in the two (2) sections mentioned above.
3. Project Description - In this section, the applicant addresses the unique, unusual,
distinctive, innovative, and/or novel aspects of the approach, showing why the applicant's
team has the best solution and presenting a compelling case for funding. Also included in
the project description are the following parts:
 Goals and Objectives - A goal is an abstract state of being, a condition, an end, or
an aspiration. In contrast, objectives are statements of measurable outcomes that,
collectively, will help the applicant measure progress toward accomplishing the
project goals.
 Methodology and Timelines - Methodology refers to the set of philosophical

lOMoARcPSD|43864213
foundations you used in your chosen research method. It also discusses whether
you are using a qualitative or quantitative method.
 Benefits/Anticipated Outcomes - It indicates the people who will benefit from
the project and how they will benefit.
4. Budget/Support - This section contains either the following: (1) an outline of the main
budget categories for the requested project support; (2) a single bottom-line amount of the
request and a brief discussion of how that amount will be used.
B. Simple concept paper (Valdez, 2016)
A simple concept paper's basic goal is to define, illustrate, or explain a concept that could be
new, unfamiliar, or controversial.
1. Introduction - This section serves as a hook to the readers. A glimpse of the paper's
thesis statement, arguments and/or claims, and purpose should be seen at this part. Also,
the following questions should be addressed in the introduction:
 What is the issue or problem that needs to be solved?
 What is the concept being defined or described? Who is/are the author/s that
claim this definition?
2. Body - In this part, the writer should elaborate on the main points of an idea or a concept.
Related literature could be presented and analyzed to support the idea being defined. Any
conflicting ideas or definitions should also be clarified, and examples should be given to
help the readers grasp the concept being discussed.
The following questions could help in building the body of the paper:
 What are other things used to describe the concept?
 Are there images or familiar experiences that may help in the definition?
 Are there conflicting definitions or descriptions of the concept? How are these
seen in the work? Why did the author use this technique?
 What examples are used to illustrate the description/definition of the concept?
3. Conclusion - This part reemphasizes the thesis statement, provides a summary of the
body, and relates the concept's importance to a specific field.

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lOMoARcPSD|43864213

The Concept Paper

Scan to open on Studocu

Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university

The Concept Paper

II. Developing Concepts (Valdez, 2016)

III.Parts of a Concept Paper

Downloaded by Xiao Xiao ([email protected])

Downloaded by Xiao Xiao ([email protected])

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