Chapter 21: The Research Blueprint – Preparing a Concept Paper

You have mastered the foundations of research, and now it’s time to transform your research idea into a tangible, shareable document: the Concept Paper. This paper serves as a miniature protocol and is the crucial first step for obtaining peer review, faculty guidance, and funding.

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1. Why a One-Page Concept Paper?

The concept paper is deliberately kept brief (ideally one page) for practical reasons:

• Time Efficiency: It respects the precious time of your faculty, guides, and funding reviewers.
• Focus: It forces you to be focused and succinct, highlighting only the most essential elements.
• Overcoming Inhibition: Writing a single page is easier than drafting a full protocol, helping your research ideas get born rather than aborted.

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2. Structure of the Concept Paper (The Six Essential Sections)

A concept paper is structured similarly to a full protocol, covering all key areas in a bulleted format.

A. Background and Justification (3 Bullets)

1. Importance of the Study Problem: Quantify the problem and provide linked references.
2. Knowns and Unknowns (Literature & Local Context): State what current literature/local data shows and, critically, what information is missing.
3. Information Needed: State exactly what information your study will provide to address the problem effectively.

B. Statement of Objectives (2-3 Objectives)

• State objectives quantitatively.
• Clearly indicate the Primary Objective (the main goal) and Secondary Objectives.
• Specify whether the objective is to estimate a quantity (descriptive) or to test a hypothesis (analytical).

C. Methods (Elaborate Section)

This section outlines the plan:

• Study Design: (e.g., Survey, Case-Control, Cohort, RCT).
• Study Population: Who will be included.
• Key Operational Definitions: Provide only the most essential definitions (referencing standard literature criteria).
• Sampling Methodology: Briefly state the selection strategy (e.g., random sampling, convenience sampling).
• Sample Size: Briefly mention the calculated sample size and the key assumptions used for its calculation.
• Data Collection: Who collects, what is collected, within what time frame, and key quality assurance measures.
• Analysis Plan: Summarize the type of analysis based on the primary and secondary objectives.
• Human Subject Protection: Key measures taken and which Ethics Committee will review the protocol.

D. Expected Benefits (Action and Future Agenda)

• Actionable Results: What specific action will be taken immediately following the results (e.g., policy change, intervention refinement)?
• Future Agenda: What future research or planning agenda will result from these findings?

E. Key References (Maximum 5)

• Must follow internationally acceptable standard guidelines for writing references (e.g., ICMJE guidelines).

F. Budget (Indicative)

• A brief, indicative budget covering key items like salaries/per diem, travel, equipment/supplies, and miscellaneous costs. This shows funding agencies you have considered the logistics.

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3. Template Considerations (Observational vs. Interventional)

While the general structure is similar, the Methods section must be tailored to the study type:

Section	Observational Study Concept Paper	Interventional Study Concept Paper (e.g., RCT)
Guidelines	General guidance (e.g., EQUATOR Network tips).	Specific guidelines for trials (e.g., SPIRIT).
Objectives	May focus on estimating prevalence/incidence or identifying risk factors.	Primary objective focuses on the Primary Outcome (efficacy/safety).
Method: Intervention	Not applicable.	Must explicitly state the intervention (drug/dosage/frequency/nature) and the comparator.
Method: Randomization	Not applicable.	Must briefly mention Randomization Sequence Generation, Allocation Concealment, and Masking (level and type).

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4. Practical Application (ICMR Example)

Major funding agencies often use formats very similar to this generic concept paper:

• ICMR Pre-Proposal Format: Asks for Title, Introduction, Novelty, Applicability, and Project Description, often with specific word counts. This confirms the value of preparing a short, focused document as a first step.
• STS Proposals (for undergraduates): Requires Title, Introduction, Objectives, Methodology, Implications (similar to Expected Benefits), and References—closely matching the generic template.

Making a habit of writing a ready, succinct concept paper is essential for organizing your ideas and capitalizing on research funding opportunities.