Submit the complete version of the concept paper for the final course assessment
A research problem is identified from the literature review process and a research question is developed to address the research problem. This is the foundation to a sustainable research study. Once this groundwork is laid, framing the research topic with compatible research procedures is the last step to presenting a research concept.
A research concept paper introduces a research topic before a full research proposal is prepared. Concept papers allow researchers to think about the research process after a thorough literature review has been drafted. Many times full research proposals fall short of demonstrating a research problem or the research topic is not well constructed. A concept-paper approach allows learners to focus on the research topic, research literature, and research problem before proposing a full study. The remaining research features are addressed succinctly to identify the procedure to be used, describe the procedure to be used, and provide a rationale for that procedure.
The goal of completing this assessment is to become proficient at identifying appropriate research topics in the field of psychology. It is also important to understand how to approach the literature. This means that literature searches need to be coordinated to fit the topic. From there, the literature should be deconstructed. The research organization tools are great to populate with the essential components of the literature. The review is crafted from the deconstruction that takes place when using a research organization tool. This is where researchers are responsible for putting the findings together to present a new whole: a new perspective that leads to an understanding of the topic that you wish to bring forward.
You will submit the complete version of the concept paper for the final course assessment. If you’ve been building throughout the course, you are probably ready to submit it. It’s important that you revise the content based on instructor feedback. Use the template provided to complete the assessment. Make sure that you address the following sections, paying particular attention to the details required in length of the sections (number of paragraphs) and length of the paragraphs (number of sentences). Follow APA format.
- Concept Paper Checklist.
- Use this Concept Paper Checklist to ensure that you have addressed all sections required for the concept paper. Note that each section includes an abbreviated description. Consult the assessment and scoring guide for a complete overview of the requirements.
- Concept Paper Template.
- Make sure you are using the provided template.
- Cover Page.
- Your cover page includes the title of your concept paper. It also includes your name (without title or degree) and it has not been modified in any way. Do not add or delete anything else.
Include a brief introduction of the research topic and its significance. A road map of the organization of the paper should complete the introduction.
BACKGROUND
The background of your study is a modified version of your literature review. It reflects the most important points from the main ideas of the literature review. Provide a summary of those main points that highlight the gaps in the literature. This section should communicate the main ideas from the literature review, and it should restate the gaps in the literature, making a smooth transition to the research problem.
The Background section should include three paragraphs addressing the main ideas captured in the literature review.
- Specifically, address the historical and contemporary understanding of the research problem in the first paragraph.
- In the second paragraph, address the gap in the research—where the research falls short of addressing your specific interest related to the research topic.
- The third and final paragraph needs to be a discussion of how the extension of the research concept, as a research study, would address the research problem.
All paragraphs should include 5–7 sentences.
RESEARCH PROBLEM
The research problem needs to be an explicit statement about the convergence and divergence in the literature review and a clear declaration of the problem deriving from the gap in the literature. It needs to address what the research literature states we know, what the literature indicates we know, and what we don’t know, based on the published research. This should be a succinct, yet detailed paragraph of 5–7 sentences. The research problem is the impetus for the research question.
RESEARCH QUESTION
The research question should accurately reflect the research topic, theory, population, variables, and methodology. It should also address the research problem specifically. State it as a question. Include the hypothesis, null hypothesis, and alternative hypothesis.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goals and objectives are important to address in a concept paper, as they form the justification for pursuing research. Anyone reading this research concept would want to understand why this is important and what the goals would be if it were to be pursued as a full research study. State the goals of this study as if you were going to conduct it or pursue a research proposal. Think about the significance of conducting a study like this and the impact it could have (recall that significance was addressed in Assessment 2). State the goals in a succinct paragraph of 4–6 sentences. List the objectives (what the purpose of the study would be) in narrative—minimum of three objectives. You can add more if needed. Cite to support your claims.
POPULATION AND SAMPLE
Describe the general population, the target population (include a description of the social setting), and study’s sample. Consider this example when describing the population:
- The general population (i.e., students with disabilities).
- Target population (i.e. students with disabilities in one specific district—geographic location).
- The study sample (students with disabilities in the district that will participate in the study—actual study sample).
Identify the sampling strategy, provide a sample size appropriate for the study design, include a justification. When describing the sample size provide evidence that the sample size is adequate for the research design. You can use the Which Statistical Analysis Should You Use? tool to find the appropriate statistical test. As a general rule of thumb, consider the following:
- Absolute Minimum: 50 cases or participants applicable to studies that use frequencies/descriptive statistics and parametric statistical tests (t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, regression analysis)—additional requirements related to the use of certain statistical analysis procedures may increase that number. Survey research = 10 subjects per survey question.
- An a-priori Power Analysis is required to justify the study sample size based on the anticipated effect size and selected design. Include this in addition to using the literature to support your choices.
METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURES
Quantitative Research
Define and describe quantitative research. Identify, define, and describe the research design. Provide a description of your instruments: All surveys, tests, questionnaires, experimental procedures, clinical interventions, inventories, and other data-collection tools should appear in an instrument subsection. A forecast of reliability and validity should be presented. Data collection and data analysis strategies also need to be addressed.
- Instruments. Provide a detailed discussion of the instrumentation and data collection which includes validity and reliability of the data. Describe the structure of each data collection instrument and data sources (tests, questionnaires, interviews, observations, databases, media, etc.). Specify the type and level of data collected with each instrument.
- Data Collection. Describe the procedures for the actual data collection that would allow replication of the study by another researcher, including how each instrument or data source would be used, how and where data would be collected, and recorded.
- Data Analysis. Address the what, why, and how of data analysis. Identify what statistical/non-statistical analysis would be used. Discuss why the statistical analysis is the best selection. Demonstrate how the statistical analysis was selected, align with the research question and design.
CONCLUSION
Restate your research topic, restate the research problem and research question, briefly discuss the significance of the topic as a potential study, summarize the key supporting ideas you discussed throughout the literature review, and offer your final thoughts on how this topic would advance the knowledge base.
- Length.
- The concept paper assessment should be 12–15 pages, not including references.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment rubric criteria:
- Competency 1: Determine the scientific merit of the professional literature.
- Summarize the main ideas from the literature review to inform the research concept background.
- Align the research components: the problem statement, the purpose, the research question, and the research design.
- Explain methodology and procedures.
- Competency 4: Embrace, respect, and respond to individual differences and diversity in the practice of psychology.
- Describe the population from which the sample will be taken that represents a sampling of the general population in a way that respects diversity, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and gender.
- Competency 5: Communicate psychological concepts effectively using the professional standards of the discipline.
- Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards.
- Exhibit proficiency in writing and use of APA (7th edition) style.
Requirements: 4-5
