I.

Activity

II. DISCUSSION: WRITING A CONCEPT PAPER

Concept Paper

 Summary of what the project is all about, the reasons for conducting the project,
and how it will be carried out.
 Provides an overview of the project, and helps funding agencies eliminate
proposals that are likely to be disapproved.

Uses of a Concept Paper

 Serves as the foundation of the whole proposal.

 Helps determine whether a certain project is feasible or not.
 It is used to pique the interest of the potential funding agencies.
 Used to obtain informal feedback on the ideas prior to preparing the full
proposal.

Three Ways in Explaining a Concept

1. Definition- is the method of identifying a given term and making its meaning
clearer.
A definition can be presented in three ways:
i. Informal definition- is done through a parenthetical or brief
explanation.
Example: Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable oil,
fish and nuts.
ii. Formal definition- explains a term by incorporating the term to be
defined (species), the general category of the term (genus), and the
quality that makes the term different from other terms in the same
category (differentia).
 Example: Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an
anti-oxidant.
iii. Extended definition- is a detailed way of defining a term and is usually
composed of at least one paragraph.
Example:
Subsequent to materials design is the preparation of learning
materials. Learning materials refer to both printed and non-printed
objects or items that teachers and learners use to facilitate language
learning. Nowadays, materials are becoming more and more
sophisticated, incorporating authentic language samples and realias that
help make a connection between classrooms and real-life activities.
They also incorporate information and communication technology
(ICT), role-plays, information-gap activities, songs, taped transcripts,
integrated macroskills, and explicit rubrics

Signal Words for Definition:

as define for instance means to define

for example is defined as such as to illustrate

2. Explication- is a method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, or

passages are taken from a literary or academic work and then interpreted and
explained in a detailed way.
Example:

Explication of "The Road Not Taken."

The poem titled "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost is about a man
reflecting on a choice he once made. While the outcome of this choice is not
implied to be positive or negative the speaker notes that the choice in itself and
the consequences of that choice have made a huge difference in the way his life
has unfolded.
The poem is about the importance of choices. The poem begins with the
speaker regretting that he could not have been two people so he could have at
some point in his life taken two roads instead of being confined to one. He
 looked as far as he could to see what was ahead on one of the roads he could
have taken, but he was limited to seeing only as far as where it turned and
disappeared in the bushes. In the second stanza he says he took the other road
because it was grassy and was possibly better because it was less traveled,
though not much more than the other road. The third stanza says both roads
were covered in leaves that had been walked on infrequently, to the extent that
the leaves covering them had not been made black from tramping feet. He also
says he continued on the road he chose, and because he knew that one thing
leads to another ("way leads on to way") he doubted he would ever return to
this part of the road. Finally, he says he will tell the story when he is much older
("Somewhere ages and ages hence") that he had the choice of taking one road
over another, and having taken the one he did made a big difference in his life.
3. Clarification- is a method of explanation in which points are organized from a
general abstract idea to specific and concrete examples.
Signal Words for Clarification:
after all in particular
as an example in short
consider the following namely
for example specifically
for instance to clarify
in other words to be specific

Parts of a Concept Paper

Concept Paper for a Project

1. Cover Page
2. Introduction
3. Rationale or Background
4. Project Description
5. Project Needs and Cost

Concept Paper for Academic Research

 1. Title Page
2. Background of the Study
3. Preliminary Literature Review
4. Statement of the Problem/Objectives
5. Abridged Methodology
6. Timeline
7. References

Guidelines in Writing a Concept Paper

 Cost and methodology should be reasonable.

 The budget, methodology, and timeline should be clearly aligned.
 Use statistics and figures when discussing the rationale for the project.
 Use no more than five pages excluding the cover page.
 Never request funding for planning the proposal.
 Adjust your language to the intended readers.
 Include the overview of the budget if it is required.
 Be sure that basic format details are incorporated.
 Cite your references.
III. PREPARING AND IMPLEMENTING RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
Research Instrument- is a tool used to gather data on a specific topic of interest.

When preparing an instrument, you must ensure that is it valid and reliable

General Guidelines in Preparing an Instrument

1. Do a preliminary research by visiting your library or checking online sources.

2. Talk to a person who is knowledgeable in preparing research instruments.
3. Master the guidelines in preparing and administering each type of instrument.
4. Clarify your research questions.
5. Based on the data you need, decide on the number of people whom you want as
respondents or participants.
6. Prepare the instrument using the appropriate format.
7. Edit your instrument.
8. Pilot your instrument to further improve its quality.
Types of Instrument

Survey

 Contains planned questions which are used to measure attitudes,

perceptions, and opinions.
 Contains responses directly related to each specific research question.

There are three types of question that you can use when conducting a survey: recall,
recognition, and open-ended.

1. Recall- asks for specific information such as years of service, age and address.
2. Recognition- asks for a response to a specific question where options are given.
3. Open-ended- elicits brief explanations or impressions from the respondents.

Interview

 An interview is an instrument that allows the researcher to qualitatively

gather data.

An interview consists of different stages:

1. Pre-interview stage- It is when an interview guide is prepared and respondents

are identified and contacted.
2. Warm-up stage- It is the initial part of the interview when questions that will
make respondents more at ease are asked.
3. Main interview stage- It is when the main questions directly related to the
research questions are asked.
4. Closing stage- It is when questions are asked to wind down the interview and
respondents are acknowledged and thanked.

Guidelines when Conducting an Interview

1. Before the interview, arrange your questions logically to make the flow of the
interview smoother.
2. Begin by introducing yourself and the purpose for the interview.
3. Tell the respondents that you will handle the information with utmost
confidentiality and care.
4. Have a warm-up stage to make the respondents more comfortable.
5. Adjust your language to that of the respondents’.
6. Make the length of the interview reasonable.
7. Record the interview because you may need to transcribe the gathered data.
8. Always thank the respondents for their time.

Questionnaire

 Compared with the interview, a questionnaire is more quantifiable. It lists

written questions to get specific information.

Parts of a Questionnaire

1. Personal Information section

2. Basic questions section
3. Main questions section
4. Open-ended questions section

Guidelines in Preparing a Questionnaire

1. Introduce the questionnaire with a cover letter.

2. Keep the questionnaire as short as possible.
3. Ensure confidentiality of information.
4. Pilot the questionnaire to ensure that you have not missed any important
question.
5. Use a follow-up reminder.
6. Give respondents sufficient time to answer the questionnaire.
7. Make all directions and questions clear.
8. Ensure that your grammar is correct.
9. Use questions that will elicit objective responses as much as possible.
10. Make the questionnaire as brief as possible.
 11. Arrange and categorize the questions logically.
12. Relate all questions to your research topic.
13. Try to make as many questions as possible without being redundant.
14. Avoid unnecessary questions.
15. Explain and illustrate difficult questions.
16. State all questions affirmatively.
17. Make the respondents anonymous.
18. Avoid biased questions.

Observation

 Observation allows the description of behaviour in a naturalistic or

laboratory setting.
 An observation is most useful when the answers to research questions
require description of behaviour and setting and when the respondents
cannot literally answer the interview questions and questionnaire for some
valid reasons such as inability to speak and write.(e.g. infants)

Types of Observation:

1. Participant observation- allows the researcher to interact actively with the

subjects.
2. Non-participant observation- allows the researcher to observe the subjects
without interacting with them.
3. Structured observation- occurs when the researcher has a list of
behaviours he/she wants to observe.
4. Unstructured observation- occurs when the researcher allows behaviours
to emerge.
5. Covert observation- subjects are not aware that they are being observed.
6. Overt observation- subjects are aware that they are being observed.

Guidelines in Conducting an Interview

1. Develop an observation guide or checklist.

 2. Decide on the type of observation that you will use.
3. Know your limitations.
4. Use recording device when appropriate.
5. Always bring paper and pen to record details.
6. Never attempt to influence the behaviour of your subject.
7. Always observe ethics when implementing an observation instrument.

Experiment

 A procedure undertaken scientifically and systematically to make a

discovery and test hypothesis.

Steps in Conducting an Experiment:

1. Make observations.
2. Develop the hypothesis.
3. Design the experiment.
4. Conduct the experiment.
5. Analyze the results.
6. Decide whether to accept or reject the hypothesis based on the results.

Guidelines in Conducting an Experiment

1. Always coordinate with a laboratory technician or supervisor when doing

an experiment.
2. Make yourself present and accessible during an experiment.
3. Maintain a relaxed and professional atmosphere.
4. Clean the experiment venue as you leave.
5. Never coerce any participants in your experiment.
6. If you need participants in your experiment, let them fill out and informed
consent form (ICF) beforehand.
7. Ensure the safety of everyone involved at all times.
8. Ensure the anonymity of participants.
9. Ensure the confidentiality of all gathered data.
Advantages and Disadvantages

Instrument Advantages Disadvantages

 Least expensive  has the lowest response
 Least time consuming rate
Questionnaire  More consistent responses  requires participants to
 Easier to analyse read and write.
 high response rate  Time-consuming
 can clarify items to be  Expensive
Interview asked  Difficult to analyse data
 can address complex  Requires transcription
questions.
 Provides direct access to a  Provides no control for
phenomenon. situation.
 Applicable to a wide range  May be biased
Observation of contexts.  Time-consuming
 Complements other  Does not provide data for
instruments. a more stable conclusion.
 Provides control of  May result in artificial
situation and variables situation.
Experiment  Establishes cause and  Prone to experimenter’s
effect effects.
 Can be replicated