2/27/2018 (1) What is the difference between a research article and a...

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Question Asked 4 years ago

Sahifa Mukhtar
7.19 · International Islamic University, Islamabad
What is the difference between a research article and a concept paper?
Is there any technical difference?

Article Writing Journal Articles Research Publications Publication Formats Qualitative Research

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Popular Answers (2)

Daniel Dauber 4 years ago
Added an answer

I would argue that there is a distinction between different types of research papers and a classi cation as follows does make sense in most cases (this
list is not exhaustive!):

Empirical paper:

An empirical paper is based on data (in most cases primary data) used to run one's own analysis to answer a speci c research question/hypotheses.

Conceptual paper (not be confused with concept paper though):

A conceptual paper is primarily based on theoretical considerations, theories, frameworks, models, etc.. Such papers tend to use no empirical data
(sometimes to support certain thoughts and conclusions). The conceptual paper has normally no intentions to run speci c analytical procedures, due to
the lack of empirical data.

Literature reviews:

Literature Reviews, similar to conceptual papers, normally tend to use no empirical data (unless it is taken from existing publications to make a case for a
speci c argument). The aim of the literature review lies in summarising, synthesising, discussing, criticising and, hopefully, showing research gaps. The
letter normally yields in recommendations for future research.

Meta-analytical reviews of literature:

If authors of a publication use data published in other sources for analytical purposes, then this is called a "meta-analysis". This type of publication is
similar to an empirical paper. The only difference lies in the source of data used. In a way it can sometimes be considered a hybrid of an empirical paper
and a literature review.

@ Concept paper: In my research context, a concept paper often refers to a proposal for research (e.g. PhD thesis, etc.) were students create a "concept"
for their empirical study. Also when applying for funding, you might require to write a proposal (a concept) on what kind of research you like to carry out.

@ Research paper: Tends to be the output of academic research (published or unpublished) and falls in one of the categories above (the majority).

Technical differences: Yes, with respect to the results sections of such papers. The concept paper (preceeding the research) normally has no results
section, since there are no results to report.

The provided de nitions might vary slightly from discipline to discipline and I certainly did not capture all features and variations, but it might be a good
reference.

I hope this is of help.

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Mian Jawed 4 years ago

Added an answer

Research paper is based on scienti c reference study,quotes,theory etc and write up while concept paper is merely for idea/theme/concept
understanding

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All Answers (27)

Mian Jawed 4 years ago

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2/27/2018 (1) What is the difference between a research article and a...
Mian Jawed 4 years ago
Added an answer

Research paper is based on scienti c reference study,quotes,theory etc and write up while concept paper is merely for idea/theme/concept
understanding

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Sahifa Mukhtar 4 years ago

Added an answer

thank you Jawed Sahib

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Luann Drolc Fortune 4 years ago

Added an answer

The research article should report results, and offer a discussion or conclusion.

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Deleted pro le 4 years ago

Added an answer

Yes Sahifa, there is a de nite difference, article usually has a house approved methodology and should produce results whereas concept paper is a
creative expression on a certain idea.

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Daniel Dauber 4 years ago

Added an answer

I would argue that there is a distinction between different types of research papers and a classi cation as follows does make sense in most cases (this
list is not exhaustive!):

Empirical paper:

An empirical paper is based on data (in most cases primary data) used to run one's own analysis to answer a speci c research question/hypotheses.

Conceptual paper (not be confused with concept paper though):

A conceptual paper is primarily based on theoretical considerations, theories, frameworks, models, etc.. Such papers tend to use no empirical data
(sometimes to support certain thoughts and conclusions). The conceptual paper has normally no intentions to run speci c analytical procedures, due to
the lack of empirical data.

Literature reviews:

Literature Reviews, similar to conceptual papers, normally tend to use no empirical data (unless it is taken from existing publications to make a case for a
speci c argument). The aim of the literature review lies in summarising, synthesising, discussing, criticising and, hopefully, showing research gaps. The
letter normally yields in recommendations for future research.

Meta-analytical reviews of literature:

If authors of a publication use data published in other sources for analytical purposes, then this is called a "meta-analysis". This type of publication is
similar to an empirical paper. The only difference lies in the source of data used. In a way it can sometimes be considered a hybrid of an empirical paper
and a literature review.

@ Concept paper: In my research context, a concept paper often refers to a proposal for research (e.g. PhD thesis, etc.) were students create a "concept"
for their empirical study. Also when applying for funding, you might require to write a proposal (a concept) on what kind of research you like to carry out.

@ Research paper: Tends to be the output of academic research (published or unpublished) and falls in one of the categories above (the majority).

Technical differences: Yes, with respect to the results sections of such papers. The concept paper (preceeding the research) normally has no results
section, since there are no results to report.

The provided de nitions might vary slightly from discipline to discipline and I certainly did not capture all features and variations, but it might be a good
reference.

I hope this is of help.

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https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_difference_between_a_research_article_and_a_concept_paper 2/7
2/27/2018 (1) What is the difference between a research article and a...
Tamasin Ramsay 4 years ago
Added an answer

Hi Sahifa and everyone,

Concept papers are speci cally uid in terms of theory and are designed to generate further ideas and thinking. Their aim is to unpack the argument/
discussion further. They generally don't offer a de nite outcome, such as a research article would do.

An example of a technical distinction between the two:

I'm writing a research article at the moment about the history of a new religious movement. It has clear data (original documentation/ content analysis/
interviews), supported by a speci c theory (legitimation) and the scope and limitations of the research are clearly stated.

Three previous concept papers inform this article. The concept papers were exploratory in language, offered a range of ideas and were loosely connected
to a variety of broad theories. I received feedback on them from the religious community I am working with, which helped guide my thinking.

The concept papers helped me see where I needed to develop my argument and strengthen my theory. Of course, the concept paper and research article
don't necessarily have to be on the same theme. They can work together on developing and deepening your research. But they can just as well serve as
stand-alone pieces of work. They both have a very important place.

Good luck with your work and all the best.

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Jalal Moosavi 4 years ago

Added an answer

Hi all. I would like to add more categories suggested by Dr. Daniel. My suggestion is to rst dividing papers into two basic categories, namely review
papers and empirical papers. the latter is also known as research paper. however the former group of papers could be divided into more subcategories.
these subcategories are:

1- Those papers which report results of citation analysis of all previous papers published in speci c discipline or topic. Majority of these papers show
how authorship and co-authorship activity is evolving and who are leading research in which direction?

2- Those papers which focus on content analysis of previous published papers. These papers normally show how the theoretical and methodological
content of the eld is evolving.

3- Those papers known as meta-analysis that use results of previous research as input and show to what extent previous research efforts have come to
the same or different conclusions and why?

4- Systematic reviews that use prede ned protocol to review the available literature.

5- Free style literature review which is not so strict in following a prede ned protocol in reviewing literature.

6- Critical reviews of literature which contrary to the subcategories 4 and 5 have the prede ned objective of challenging established believes within
research community in terms of concepts and/or methodologies used.

Of course my categorization is solely based on my personal experiences and have not seen before any such categorization of review papers. Based on
this personal experience, I think only the last category (6) could be truly considered as conceptual papers.

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Theodora Issa 4 years ago

Added an answer

This depends on the discipline - if you are in science a REVIEW paper is very highly regards and rarely seen.

There are some scholars who would state there are two types of papers (here talking about social sciences)

(1) Empirical papers - which report on research

(2) Conceptual or Theoretical - which might include review - or content analysis, or critical reviews...

Regards

Theodora Issa

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Sahifa Mukhtar 4 years ago

Added an answer

Thank you everybody.

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2/27/2018 (1) What is the difference between a research article and a...

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Dr. Vedashree Vijay Thigale 4 years ago

Added an answer

.Both Paper are differenct and its writing style is also different. You can include many reference in research article and add also, But Concept paper
releated with concept. limitition for concept. You would be write only your concept reletated matter, in concept paper.

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Qurratulann Malik 4 years ago

Added an answer

Thankyou all, especially Daniel. You have really clari ed the issue.

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Theodora Issa 4 years ago

Added an answer

Thanks for the elaborative responses - appreciated. Learning as I go!

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Martha Suh 4 years ago

Added an answer

There are diffrences between two categories of Films ( commercial &author=concptual). There are also differences between classical and contemporary
paintings. These Parabolas might be not very orthodox. However, they have something common. They want give you some kind of messages to realize
Who you are?( or What is the meaning of our life?). Cartésianisme! Martha서

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Jennifer A Wood 4 years ago

Added an answer

Thank you for everyone's comments. Do you all agree that in scienti c disciplines a review paper is a type of conceptual paper? Or do you think these are
different things?

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Rahmatollah Fattahi 3 years ago

Added an answer

A conceptual research paper is mainly based on theoretical thoughts and speculations about a topic provided and argued by a researcher who believes
he/she has something new to say. This sort of paper is usually written by those who master in a speci c area of study.

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Ali orozi Sougui 3 years ago

Added an answer

Thanks to everyone .It is really useful information

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Adamu Umar 3 years ago

Added an answer

Very educative, indeed.

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Samihah Zura Mohd Nani 2 years ago

Added an answer

In biomedical/health sciences research, is it safe to publish the concept paper which contain our ideas and approach to do the research? I am thought of
someone might want to steal the idea perhaps. 

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Mazhar Ellahi 2 years ago

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https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_difference_between_a_research_article_and_a_concept_paper 4/7
2/27/2018 (1) What is the difference between a research article and a...
I am really impressed with the clarity of thought of Mr. Daniel Dauber. congratulations you possess this ability. thanks as I enjoyed your answer. Maz.

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Saleman Mashood 2 years ago

Added an answer

i am satisfy

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Saleman Mashood 2 years ago

Added an answer

i am satisfy

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Saleman Mashood 2 years ago

Added an answer

i am satisfy

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Saleman Mashood 2 years ago

Added an answer

i am satisfy

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Anisah Mohd Arshad 2 years ago

Added an answer

How to convert a Ph.D. Research Proposal to an article for a conference? 

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Nyarai Tunjera 2 years ago

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I have been helped by this discussion. I am intending to write a conceptual paper basing on constructivism paradigm and technology integration in
teacher preparation programs, any ideas

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Han Ping Fung 2 years ago

Added an answer

What is the difference between a research article and a concept paper?

You can refer to the following RG link for some answers to the similar question.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_exact_difference_between_a_conceptual_paper_and_a_quantitative_research_paper

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Han Ping Fung 2 years ago

Added an answer

Hi Anisah,

Refer to your following question:

How to convert a Ph.D. Research Proposal to an article for a conference?

If you want to convert your PhD research proposal to conference proceeding / article, your article should include: research problem, research objective(s),
research question(s), literature review on related theories & theoretical frameworks, your developed conceptual framework / research model, short
explanation about your research methodology.

Normally when students just started their PhD & are submitting their research proposal, the quality of their research proposal might be less then ideal that
need numerous rounds of improvement or assisted by their advisor / supervisor.  Moreover, some research proposal also required the students to develop
their project timeline & budgeted costing on how they planned to complete their study in which these 2 components typically are not needed in
conference proceeding / article.

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2/27/2018 (1) What is the difference between a research article and a...

Fadli Mus
Gadjah Mada University
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