A complete guide to writing a concept paper for research, with examples, objectives templates, and a comparison with research proposals.
What is a Concept Paper in Research?
A concept paper is a brief document (typically 3-10 pages) that outlines the basic elements of a proposed research project before developing a full research proposal. It serves as a preliminary plan that helps you clarify your research idea, gain feedback from supervisors, and sometimes secure initial approval or funding interest.
Think of a concept paper as a “pitch” for your research—it presents the core idea without going into the extensive detail required in a full proposal.
Purpose of a Concept Paper
A concept paper serves several important functions:
- Clarifies your thinking – Forces you to articulate your research idea concisely
- Seeks preliminary approval – Helps supervisors assess the viability of your project
- Attracts funding interest – Introduces your idea to potential funders before a full application
- Saves time – Allows feedback before investing effort in a complete proposal
- Allocates supervisors – Helps departments match students with appropriate supervisors
Concept Paper vs Research Proposal: Key Differences
Understanding how a concept paper differs from a research proposal is essential for postgraduate students.
| Aspect | Concept Paper | Research Proposal |
|---|
| Length | 3-10 pages | 15-50+ pages |
| Purpose | Preliminary overview, seek approval | Detailed plan for conducting research |
| Level of Detail | Brief, concise | Comprehensive, thorough |
| Literature Review | Brief mention of key sources | Extensive review of existing literature |
| Methodology | General approach outlined | Detailed procedures, sampling, instruments |
| Timeline | May include rough timeline | Detailed project schedule |
| Budget | May include estimated costs | Detailed budget breakdown (for funded research) |
| When Written | Before proposal development | After concept paper approval |
| Audience | Supervisors, department, potential funders | Ethics committees, funding bodies, examiners |
When to Use Each Document
Use a Concept Paper when:
- Beginning your postgraduate research journey
- Seeking supervisor allocation
- Testing the viability of a research idea
- Submitting an initial expression of interest for funding
- Needing preliminary feedback before detailed planning
Use a Research Proposal when:
- Applying for ethics approval
- Submitting for formal academic approval
- Applying for research grants or funding
- Registering your research project officially
Structure of a Concept Paper
While formats vary by institution, most concept papers include the following sections:
1. Title of the Proposed Study
Your title should be clear, concise, and informative. A good research title:
- Contains 10-25 words
- Identifies the key variables (independent and dependent)
- Indicates the scope or context of the study
- Avoids unnecessary words like “A Study of…” or “An Investigation into…”
- Uses proper capitalization
Example Titles:
✓ The Effect of Remote Work Arrangements on Employee Productivity in Kenyan Banks
✓ Social Media Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement Among SMEs in Nairobi
✗ A Study to Investigate the Relationship Between Different Factors and Performance (too vague)
2. Background of the Study
The background provides context for your research by:
- Introducing the broader topic area
- Explaining key concepts and terms
- Presenting global, regional, and local perspectives
- Establishing why this topic deserves investigation
- Leading logically to your research problem
Structure for Background:
Global context (1-2 paragraphs)
↓
Regional context (1 paragraph)
↓
Local/specific context (1-2 paragraphs)
↓
Gap identification
3. Statement of the Problem
The problem statement is the heart of your concept paper. It should clearly articulate:
The Ideal State: What should be happening according to theory, policy, or best practice?
The Actual State: What is actually happening in reality?
The Gap: What is the discrepancy between the ideal and actual states?
The Consequences: What are the negative effects of this gap?
Your Contribution: How will your research address this problem?
Example Problem Statement:
Employee productivity is fundamental to organizational success in the banking sector. According to strategic management theory, well-designed remote work policies should enhance productivity by 15-20% (Smith, 2022). However, recent studies indicate that Kenyan banks implementing remote work have experienced only 5% productivity gains, with some reporting declining performance metrics (Ochieng, 2023). This gap suggests that current remote work implementation strategies may be inadequate. Without research-based interventions, banks may continue experiencing suboptimal returns on their flexible work investments. This study seeks to investigate the factors affecting remote work effectiveness in Kenyan banks to develop evidence-based recommendations for improving employee productivity.
4. Research Objectives
Objectives state what your research aims to achieve. They should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
General Objective (Aim):
The overall goal of your study, derived directly from your research title.
To examine the effect of remote work arrangements on employee productivity in Kenyan banks.
Specific Objectives:
Break down the general objective into measurable components, typically 3-5 objectives based on your independent variables.
- To determine the effect of flexible scheduling on employee productivity in Kenyan banks.
- To assess the influence of technology infrastructure on employee productivity in Kenyan banks.
- To evaluate the effect of management support on employee productivity in Kenyan banks.
- To examine the moderating effect of employee training on the relationship between remote work arrangements and productivity.
Objectives in Concept Paper Example (Template):
| Independent Variable | Specific Objective |
|---|
| Flexible Scheduling | To determine the effect of flexible scheduling on employee productivity |
| Technology Infrastructure | To assess the influence of technology infrastructure on employee productivity |
| Management Support | To evaluate the effect of management support on employee productivity |
5. Research Questions or Hypotheses
Depending on your research approach, you’ll include either research questions or hypotheses.
Research Questions (typically for qualitative or exploratory studies):
- What is the effect of flexible scheduling on employee productivity in Kenyan banks?
- How does technology infrastructure influence employee productivity in Kenyan banks?
- What is the effect of management support on employee productivity in Kenyan banks?
Research Hypotheses (typically for quantitative studies testing relationships):
- Null Hypothesis (H₀): There is no significant relationship between flexible scheduling and employee productivity in Kenyan banks.
- Alternative Hypothesis (H₁): There is a significant relationship between flexible scheduling and employee productivity in Kenyan banks.
6. Literature Review in Concept Paper
In a concept paper, the literature review is brief—typically 1-2 pages that:
- Define key concepts related to your variables
- Identify 5-10 relevant empirical studies
- Highlight gaps in existing research
- Establish the theoretical foundation for your study
Example Format:
Conceptual Review:
- Define “remote work arrangements”
- Define “employee productivity”
- Explain the relationship between the concepts
Empirical Review:
- Study 1: Author (Year) – Findings and gaps
- Study 2: Author (Year) – Findings and gaps
- Study 3: Author (Year) – Findings and gaps
- Summary of gaps your study will address
7. Theoretical Framework
Identify 2-4 theories that underpin your study. For each theory, explain:
- Proponents – Who developed the theory?
- Core Propositions – What does the theory state?
- Variable Explanation – Which variable(s) does the theory explain?
- Relevance – How does this theory apply to your study?
Example:
Social Exchange Theory (Blau, 1964)
Social Exchange Theory posits that employees reciprocate positive treatment from employers with positive work behaviors. In the context of this study, the theory suggests that employees who perceive remote work arrangements as a benefit will reciprocate with increased productivity and commitment. This theory helps explain the relationship between management support (independent variable) and employee productivity (dependent variable).
8. Proposed Methodology
Outline your research approach briefly:
Research Design: Descriptive, correlational, experimental, etc.
Research Philosophy: Positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism
Target Population: Who will you study?
Sampling Technique: How will you select participants?
Sample Size: How many participants?
Data Collection Methods: Questionnaires, interviews, observation, etc.
Data Analysis: Statistical techniques or qualitative methods
For Quantitative Studies, Include the Conceptual Framework:
Independent Variables Dependent Variable
┌─────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│ Flexible Scheduling │──────▶│ │
├─────────────────────┤ │ Employee │
│ Technology │──────▶│ Productivity │
│ Infrastructure │ │ │
├─────────────────────┤ └──────────────────┘
│ Management Support │──────▶
└─────────────────────┘
Regression Equation (for quantitative studies):
Y = β₀ + β₁X₁ + β₂X₂ + β₃X₃ + ε
Where:
Y = Employee Productivity (Dependent Variable)
β₀ = Constant
β₁, β₂, β₃ = Beta coefficients
X₁ = Flexible Scheduling
X₂ = Technology Infrastructure
X₃ = Management Support
ε = Error term
9. Significance of the Study
Explain who will benefit from your research and how:
Theoretical Significance:
- How will your study contribute to existing theory?
- What gaps in knowledge will it fill?
Practical Significance:
- How will practitioners benefit?
- What problems will it help solve?
Policy Significance:
- How might findings influence policy decisions?
10. References/Bibliography
List all sources cited in your concept paper using the required citation style (APA, Harvard, MLA, etc.).
Concept Paper Example: Complete Sample
Below is a condensed example of a concept paper structure:
CONCEPT PAPER
Title: The Effect of Digital Financial Services on Financial Inclusion Among Rural Women in Kisumu County, Kenya
Area of Study: Finance / Financial Management
Background of the Study:
Financial inclusion remains a critical challenge in developing economies, with significant implications for poverty reduction and economic empowerment. Globally, approximately 1.7 billion adults remain unbanked, with women disproportionately affected (World Bank, 2022). In Kenya, mobile money services like M-Pesa have transformed financial access, yet rural women continue to face barriers to financial inclusion…
Statement of the Problem:
Despite the proliferation of digital financial services in Kenya, rural women remain significantly underserved. According to the Kenya FinAccess Survey (2023), only 43% of rural women actively use digital financial services compared to 67% of rural men. This disparity limits women’s economic participation and perpetuates gender inequality in financial access…
General Objective:
To examine the effect of digital financial services on financial inclusion among rural women in Kisumu County, Kenya.
Specific Objectives:
- To determine the effect of mobile money services on financial inclusion among rural women in Kisumu County.
- To assess the influence of digital literacy on financial inclusion among rural women in Kisumu County.
- To evaluate the effect of agency banking on financial inclusion among rural women in Kisumu County.
Research Questions:
- What is the effect of mobile money services on financial inclusion among rural women in Kisumu County?
- How does digital literacy influence financial inclusion among rural women in Kisumu County?
- What is the effect of agency banking on financial inclusion among rural women in Kisumu County?
Theoretical Framework:
This study will be guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989) and the Financial Inclusion Theory (Sarma, 2008)…
Proposed Methodology:
The study will adopt a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach. The target population comprises 15,000 rural women in Kisumu County. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 390 respondents will be selected through stratified random sampling. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis in SPSS.
References:
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340.
Sarma, M. (2008). Index of financial inclusion. Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations Working Paper No. 215.
World Bank. (2022). Global Findex Database 2021. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Concept Papers
1. Vague or Overly Broad Topics
Problem: “The effect of leadership on organizational performance”
Solution: “The effect of transformational leadership styles on employee productivity in manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi County, Kenya”
2. Missing Clear Research Gap
Your problem statement must clearly identify what is missing in current knowledge and why your study is needed.
3. Misaligned Objectives, Questions, and Variables
Ensure your specific objectives align directly with your research questions/hypotheses and that both derive from your independent variables.
4. Insufficient Theoretical Grounding
Don’t just name theories—explain how they relate to your specific variables and research context.
5. Unrealistic Scope
Be realistic about what you can accomplish within your time and resource constraints.
6. Weak Literature Citations
Use recent, peer-reviewed sources. Avoid over-reliance on websites and textbooks.
7. Unclear Methodology
Even in a concept paper, your methodology should be specific enough to demonstrate feasibility.
In What Part of the Concept Paper Do You State How Your Project Can Make a Difference?
This is stated in the “Significance of the Study” section. Here, you explain:
- Who will benefit from your research findings
- How the findings can be applied practically
- What theoretical contributions your study will make
- How the research might influence policy or practice
Example:
Significance of the Study
This study will contribute to the body of knowledge on digital financial inclusion in rural areas. The findings will benefit:
Practitioners: Financial institutions can use the findings to design more inclusive digital products for rural women.
Policymakers: The Central Bank of Kenya and Ministry of Finance can use insights to develop gender-responsive financial inclusion policies.
Researchers: The study will provide a foundation for future research on gender-specific barriers to financial technology adoption.
Communities: Rural women will benefit from improved financial services designed to meet their specific needs.
Sampling Strategy in Concept Paper: Which Section?
The sampling strategy is discussed in the Methodology section of a concept paper. Specifically, you should address:
- Target Population: The entire group you want to study
- Sampling Frame: The accessible portion of the population
- Sampling Technique: How you will select participants (random, stratified, purposive, etc.)
- Sample Size: How many participants you will include and how you calculated this number
Tips for Writing an Effective Concept Paper
1. Start with a Strong Title
Your title should clearly communicate your research focus and include key variables.
2. Be Concise
A concept paper should be brief—every sentence should serve a purpose.
3. Focus on the Gap
Clearly articulate what is missing in current knowledge and why your study matters.
4. Align All Components
Ensure your title, objectives, questions, and methodology all connect logically.
5. Use Current Sources
Cite recent literature (preferably within the last 5-7 years) to demonstrate the relevance of your topic.
6. Seek Feedback Early
Share your concept paper with supervisors and peers before finalizing.
7. Follow Institutional Guidelines
Each institution may have specific requirements—always check your department’s guidelines.
Concept Paper Template
Use this checklist to ensure your concept paper is complete:
Front Matter:
- [ ] Title of the proposed study
- [ ] Your name and student ID
- [ ] Department and institution
- [ ] Date
Main Content:
- [ ] Background of the study (1-2 pages)
- [ ] Statement of the problem (½-1 page)
- [ ] General objective
- [ ] Specific objectives (3-5)
- [ ] Research questions or hypotheses
- [ ] Brief literature review (1-2 pages)
- [ ] Theoretical framework (½-1 page)
- [ ] Proposed methodology (1 page)
- [ ] Significance of the study (½ page)
References:
- [ ] Bibliography in required citation style
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long should a concept paper be?
A: Typically 3-10 pages, depending on institutional requirements. Most are 5-8 pages.
Q: Can I change my topic after submitting a concept paper?
A: Minor refinements are usually acceptable, but major changes may require submitting a new concept paper.
Q: Is a concept paper the same as an abstract?
A: No. An abstract summarizes a completed study (150-300 words), while a concept paper outlines a proposed study (3-10 pages).
Q: How many references should a concept paper have?
A: Typically 8-15 references, though this varies by institution and topic complexity.
Q: What’s the difference between a concept paper and a concept note?
A: These terms are often used interchangeably. Some organizations use “concept note” for funding applications and “concept paper” for academic contexts.
Conclusion
A well-written concept paper is the foundation of successful research. It demonstrates that you have a clear, viable research idea and have thought through the key elements of your project. By following the structure and guidelines outlined in this guide, you can develop a concept paper that earns approval from your supervisors and sets you on the path to research success.
Need Help with Your Concept Paper?
At Tobit Research Consulting, we specialize in helping postgraduate students develop strong concept papers and research proposals. Our services include:
- Concept Paper Development
- Research Proposal Writing
- Topic Refinement and Gap Analysis
- Methodology Consultation
- Literature Review Support
Contact us today for professional guidance on your research journey.
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Last Updated: December 2025
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