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Guidelines for Preparing Concept Notes

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Zewude Hirpesa
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65 views

Guidelines for Preparing Concept Notes

Uploaded by

Zewude Hirpesa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Guidelines for Preparing Concept Notes

What is A Concept Note?


The concept note is a brief outline of your proposed research. The concept note should:
 Spell out the research problem, outlining the background, methodology and location of
fieldwork;
 Introduce the principal researcher and other researchers involved in the project, their
qualifications, and their previous research experience and publications;
 Follow the framework laid out below;
 Not contain a detailed literature review and a budget, and
 It must not be more than 550 words - using single spaced paragraphs and font size 12 in
Microsoft Word.
REPOA first requires a concept note before you submit a research proposal because this should
help to ensure that your idea for the project is a good one and the way you want to go about the
project is feasible. However, you will have to spend time carefully thinking and planning the
research, as the planning of the research project is very important. How well you plan the
research will largely influence how good the actual research project is. The planning is perhaps
the most critical stage of the research project. This should reduce the risk of you preparing a full
proposal that is rejected by REPOA.

If REPOA accepts the concept note, you will be invited to prepare a full proposal using the
guidelines outlined in chapter 5. However, REPOA may ask you to clarify certain elements of
the concept note before asking you to proceed to the full proposal stage. Note that the acceptance
of the concept note does not guarantee that REPOA will ultimately agree to fund your research
proposal.
We suggest that you read this publication right through before beginning to write your concept
note. This is because there are issues to consider before writing the concept note which are
covered in the chapter on writing a proposal and in chapter 6 there are some tips for writing style
that will be useful in writing the concept note.
The Structure of a Concept Note
Please make sure that you follow this framework, as REPOA will not accept a concept note that
does not meet the requirements laid out below.

1
Figure 1: Framework for the Concept Note
1. Research Title The title should focus the reader's attention on the essential theme of the
15 words maximum proposed research - what are you researching? Have a concise and focused title.
Be short, preferably not more than one line. Avoid unnecessary punctuation
(commas, colons, semi-colons). Do not repeat keywords.
2 Research Problem A short summary of the research problem. What do you want to find out? What
200 words maximum will you know after doing this research? What are the research questions?
Use a clear and logical style in your writing.
3 Background A concise review of the main research work and current issues in the specific
200 words maximum subject area. What is already known about this specific subject? This is not a
literature review; you do not need to do one for a concept note.
4 Methodology Outline the proposed methodology. How will you conduct the research?
100 words maximum
5 Location If fieldwork is involved, indicate where it will take place and if there is a special
50 words maximum reason why you have chosen this location.
6 Principal Researcher Provide name(s) and full contact details. Briefly state qualifications and research
(& other researchers, experience of all researchers. Attach short CVs (maximum of three pages each)
if applicable)
7 Project Timeframe Proposed project start date. Duration of the project.

Remember that the total number of words is 550, (excluding the attached C.V.(s)). The number
of words proposed under each heading in Figure 1 is a guideline only - you may use fewer
words, but do not use more. (To count the words in a section of your concept note, first block the
section (right-click your mouse at the top of the section and block to the end) and then go to
'Word Count' under 'Tools'.)

How to Submit the Concept Note


REPOA will provide you with the form for you to prepare your concept note, or you can simply
prepare your own, but you should follow the layout in Figure 1. You can also download this
form from REPOA's website at http://www.repoa.or.tz/research_proposals/process.php.
You can submit a concept note at any time of the year. Remember that it must fall within one of
REPOA's research themes, which are set out in Chapter 7. REPOA also makes special calls for
research proposals on a particular topic; these are advertised in the newspaper, on REPOA's
website and a notice is sent out by email.

2
Assessing Concept Notes
REPOA will forward concept notes that have followed the guidelines to three anonymous expert
reviewers who will look closely at the quality of your submission. They will evaluate your
concept note considering such matters as:
 Is the title focused and clear?
 Is the research problem clear and logically presented?
 Does the background section indicate that the researcher has a good grasp of the problem
area?
 Is the proposed methodology appropriate for the proposed study?

Reviewers' conclusions are forwarded to REPOA's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for
review and endorsement. The TAC may propose that the concept note be rejected or accepted, or
that you should revise it for resubmission, taking into account the critical comments from the
reviewers. In all cases (acceptance, request for revisions, or rejection) REPOA will send you the
experts' comments to help you with your subsequent work.

If REPOA accepts your concept note, you will be requested to prepare a full proposal.
If the concept note requires some changes, these will be indicated to you, and you will be
requested to resubmit a revised concept note.
If your concept note is accepted, REPOA will offer you advice and assistance in preparing your
full proposal. If your concept note is rejected, the reasons will be spelled out to you in detail in
order to help you improve further concept notes or research proposals.

An outright rejection means that REPOA will not consider a resubmission on the same topic
from the same author or authors.

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