Download English for Academic Purposes and more Essays (high school) English in PDF only on Docsity! HANDOUTS IN EAPP DUAL NATURE OF CONCEPT PAPER CONCEPT PAPER – an in-depth analysis of any idea, situation or practice. - is either an extended definition or an initial outline of a project proposal. EXTENDED DEFINITION - or a definition paper targets the explanation of an idea, theory or practice for the purpose of informing the audience. Example: “What is self-esteem?” “Same-sex Marriage” PROJECT PROPOSAL - It seeks to present an idea for the consideration of others, probably for funding or support. It goes beyond definition to convince the reader to support or implement the proposed concept or project. Example: “Save Earth. Plant A Tree.” “Electronic Garbage Bins for Big Buildings” STRUCTURE - The organization of the explanation, Example: Description, Comparison, Historical, Classification STYLE - The choice of words, Example: Formal, Informal, Technical, Popular WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF A CONCEPT PAPER? Rationale – Project description, Purpose Conceptual Framework – Steps, Materials Hypothesis – Expected outcome, Time table HOW TO WRITE A CONCEPT PAPER Funders often ask for brief 1- to 5-page concept papers (also called “white papers” in the government contracting sector) prior to submission of a full proposal. This helps them save time by eliminating ideas that are not likely to be funded. Applicants may use concept papers in any of the following ways: ▪ to interest potential funders; ▪ to develop potential solutions or investigations into project ideas; ▪ to determine whether a project idea is fundable; and/or ▪ 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 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. It addresses the reasons why the funder should support projects in the given general area. It also introduces the applicant’s partners and shows why the partners want to participate in the project. 2. Second is the Purpose or Need or Rationale, which outlines what others have written about the general 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. Similar to a literature review, this section allows the applicant to state the purpose or need in such a way that the applicant’s project is the best possible solution to the problem. Also, it often provides statements addressing the significance of the project (showing why the project should be supported). In some cases, these first two sections are merged into a Background section that both introduces the alignment between the two organizations’ missions and provides the need statement. 3. The overarching research aim of your proposed study and the objectives and/or questions you will address to achieve this aim. Align all of these with the problem statement; i.e. write each research question as a clear response to addressing the limitations and gaps identified from previous literature. Also give a clear description of your primary hypothesis. 4. The specific data outputs that you plan to capture. For example, will this be qualitative or quantitative data? Do you plan to capture data at specific time points or at other defined intervals? Do you need to repeat data capture to asses any repeatability and reproducibility questions? 5.The research methodology you will use to capture this data, including any specific measurement or analysis equipment and software you will use, and a consideration of statistical tests to help interpret the data. If your research requires the use of questionnaires, how will these be prepared and validated? In what sort of time frame would you plan to collect this data? 6.Finally, include a statement of the significance of the study, explaining why your research is important and impactful. This can be in the form of a concluding paragraph that reiterate the statement of the problem, clarifies how your research will address this and explains who will benefit from your research and how. Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek word etymologia, meaning "true sense," and the suffix -logia, denoting "the study of." As a strategy for clarifying terms, etymological narratives could form the introduction of a concept paper Signal Words for Definition
The following signal weeds are useful when explaining a cancept by definition.
as defined, "or Goaaimple, Tor nScnnoe, i Gehnoed as, mmm,
such as. bo define, to illustrate
4. Explication — is a methed of explanation in which sentences, verses, quabes,
co phrases are taken from a lferary or academic work then intenpreied and
eaplained in a detailed way. You may begin by analyzing how the text was
constructed and end with a concise conclusiam by restating your major
arguments. Explication mot any illuminates o piece of litersture, but also serves to
remind the readers about its historical setting and formal propertios of style and
language.
Example:
in the final stanza of his poem The Road Mot Taken, Frost takes about
his. dilemma of coming upon two diverging paths, and not krowing which ome io
choose. The third line ie wery important, of ® delivers an idea of choosing
bobwoon the ten divonrgent padhes.
The tone in this stanza shifts from regretful to opfimistic. The feo roads
symbolically ropresent individual choices. The mood ics neither depressed mor
unhappy, but fhe poet sighs bocause he knows what the complexities cur [fe
may have for him. Whether he has chosen a right or a wrong path, if has @
compelling impact on his life. The phrase “less traveled” suggesis the theme of
individualism. Fron: The Rood Moff Token (by Robert Frost
2. Clarification — — is a method of explanation in which the points are organized
from a general abstract idea to specific and concrabs examples. The analysis of
the concept is. done by looking at the examples and spocifying its characteristics.
Signal Words for Clarification
Aftor all for instance namnchy Shavt is.
As an example in other words pot ancéher wary to be specific:
Consider the following asample im particular sprcifically
8
Example:
Justior is a broad concept which encompasses a wide set of ideas, most of
which also branch owt imto smaller motions. For instance, i can mefer bo the
sanioncing of a criminal based on due process. When an individual gets what he
deserves, even oubside the hands of the law, if is also considered justion in some
cantext This may come in fhe form of vigilante justice, in which a person
dissatisfied with the sysiem doles out punishing to wrong-doors. Poctic justice is
alse aneéher related concept which is used in literature to show how the good iz
always newarnded while bad forces always mont a grim end. In the contowt of this
Paper, justice will be clearty delineated into amy instance im which the law iz
successfully and fairly applied to an individual, resulting in either an arrest or a
reloase. To illustrate, fa thedt is caught and tried in court fhrough due process,
and is found §o Be guilky and thon sentenced accordingly, it can be said that
justice was served. However, if the same thief is caught in the act by a band of
villagers and was beaten right then and there, if will be considered justice in the
canted of the paper, as ihe prooess has not undergone due process.
Source: English for Academic & Professional Purposes for SHS page
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