Abstract
According to the existing definition, a concept paper is a short summary of major research (NCU template PhD Degree concept paper, 2013). The concept paper in question will provide information on the Four Concepts and their applicability.
Introduction
Often overlooked, the introduction of a concept paper includes a great chunk of essential information, which defines the course of the entire work in a number of ways. For example, the introduction to the given paper specifically will incorporate the problem itself, as well as the premises for its development and the key factors that have predisposed its emergence, and the key purpose of the study.
The research questions, which the given study hinges on, will also be outlined. Finally, several hypotheses will be provided in order to outline the possible outcomes of the study. At the end of the introduction section, the key terms will be listed together with their definitions; among these terms, the definitions of the four worldviews and the related terminology will be provided.
Theoretical Framework
Seeing how a dissertation must have a theoretical foil to be based on, it will be required to incorporate at least one theoretical framework to support the research (Buros Institute of Mental Measurements, 2013). However, in the light of the fact that four theories of a worldview are the very focus of the paper, it will be reasonable to talk about four theories making the bulk of the research.
Literature Review
Another crucial part of a concept paper, the review of the literature used in the process of paper writing must be carried out (Doctoral Candidacy Resource Guide (DCRG), 2013). In the given section, the overview of the most credible sources providing the information on the Four Worldviews will be provided. It is imperative that the study should be based on peer-reviewed academic sources; to prove the credibility of the works used for the paper on the Four Worldviews, each of the sources will be assessed in terms of their reliability, novelty and significance for the research.
Research Methods
The description of major tools used for the research is another integral part of a concept paper. Once defining the methods with the help of which a study will be conducted, one will be able to attain impressive results (Social research methods, 2014). Specifically for the given concept paper, such techniques as data analysis will be used in order to draw parallels between the Four Concepts, i.e., positivism, constructivism, advocacy framework, and pragmatism. It can be assumed that at a certain point of the research, the need to resort to coding will emerge so that the results of the study could be represented in the form of a grounded theory.
References
A list of the sources that will be mentioned in the literature review and quoted or cited throughout the paper will be provided in the given research (American Psychological Association, 2010). Among the sources, peer-reviewed journal articles, academic studies, including dissertations, theses, books, etc. will be listed. Though diversity in the types of sources is important, the emphasis will be on the reliability of the materials.
Appendices
For the study to be complete, all the materials that will have been used outside the references will be provided at the end of the paper after the reference list. Several appendices will be used for different types of data to be represented properly.
Reference List
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC.
Buros Institute of Mental Measurements (2013). Buros Center for testing. Web.
Doctoral Candidacy Resource Guide (DCRG) (2013). Web.
NCU template PhD Degree concept paper (2013). Web.
Social research methods (2014). Web.