Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships (CP3)

Concept Paper Review Guidelines and Suggested Format

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The purpose of the Concept Paper review is to enhance dialog between staff and the research community on potential grant applications related to the programs and mission of CP3. Information shared in the Concept Paper review is understood to be preliminary and will require further development should the investigator pursue the proposed line of inquiry. Customarily, feedback will be provided to the investigator within 4 to 6 weeks of receipt of the Concept Paper.

A suggested outline of the Concept Paper content follows. Overall, papers should be 3 to 7 pages (double-spaced) in length, with the individual pages numbered. It is not necessary to submit or formulate a budget for the proposed project.

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Significance of the Problem

Discuss in a few paragraphs, the issues that form the basis of the problem. Place the problems in the context of the health care delivery system and identify how research could enhance practice, service delivery, or health care policy. Also include a brief description of how the proposed study would add to previous work in the area of inquiry.

Research Question or Objective

State the precise question (testable hypothesis) or objective(s) to be addressed. If more than one objective is to be examined, identify which one is key, and which are sub-objectives. What is the conceptual framework or theoretical basis for the study and for use in the data analysis?

Methodology/Approaches

The overall study design is important. Define the subjects or target population. Since grant applications will be scored specifically on the inclusion of women and minority subjects in the study population, their inclusion should be addressed in the Concept Paper as well. If proposing interventions, describe their content and how they will be implemented.

Describe sources and types of data. Explicitly state the the project sample size and project duration. Consider the following:

• What information will be needed to answer the questions?
• How will it be obtained?
• Is the data source reliable and available?
• Will additional or new instruments be needed?

A brief description of the setting (e.g., primary care practice) may be warranted to clarify the sources of data.

Evaluation and Analysis

How will you determine whether the original questions have been answered? What is the potential contribution of both positive and negative findings to the field of inquiry? What is the potential policy and/or practice relevance of the study? Is the proposal a part of a planned series of studies? If so, what are the other parts of the series?

Selected References

Include a bibliography of references cited in the Concept Paper.

Program Coordinator

Natalie Alter
CP3/AHRQ
540 Gaither Road
Suite 6000
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (301) 427-1569
Fax: (301) 427-1595
E-mail: Natalie.Alter@ahrq.hhs.gov.

Current as of December 2005

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Internet Citation:

Concept Paper Review Guidelines and Suggested Format: Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships. December 2005. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/about/cp3/cp3conrev.htm

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