The document is a comprehensive guide on writing research papers and collecting data, emphasizing the importance of selecting a relevant and engaging topic, formulating clear research questions, and applying proper methods for data collection and analysis. It outlines key steps from structuring a paper, conducting literature reviews, to adhering to citation standards, along with providing practical examples throughout. Additionally, it offers resources for research and highlights the significance of clear communication and proofreading in academic writing.

1. "HOW TO WRITE A
RESEARCH PAPER &
COLLECT DATA:
A GUIDE "
Key Strategies for Engaging AcademicWriting
BY: DR. JASBEER SINGH

2. A G E N D A
Introduction
Case Studies for Examples
Decision-making
StructuringYour Paper
Steps to Follow
5
4
3
2
1
Conclusion: Key Takeaways forWriting a Research Paper
Useful Links for Research and Data Collection
6
7
Final Thought
8

3. INTRODUCTION
What is a Research Paper?
• A detailed study that answers a specific
question in your field.
• It involves gathering information, analyzing it,
and drawing conclusions.
Why is it Important?
• Demonstrates your knowledge.
• Contributes new insights to your academic or
professional field.

4. S T E P S T O F O L L O W
:
 Relevance to Your Field
• Align your topic with current trends or
problems in your area of study.
Example: If you are studying psychology, a
possible topic could be "The Effects of Social Media
on Teenagers' Self-Esteem."
 Interest and Passion
• Choose something that excites you— you’ll be
working on it for a long time.
Example: If you enjoy environmental issues, you
could study "Sustainable Energy Solutions for
Urban Areas."
Narrow Focus
• Avoid topics that are too broad to make your
research more manageable.
Example: Instead of studying "Mental Health," focus on
"The Impact of Online Learning on College Students'
Mental Health During COVID-19."
 What is a Research Question?
• The question your research will answer.
• Should be clear, specific, and
answerable.
Example of a Good Research Question:
Instead of “How does technology affect
students?” Try: “How has the use of
→
educational apps improved student
performance in high school mathematics?”
 Why it’s Important:
• Guides your entire paper and data
collection process.
Step 2: Formulating a Research Question
Step 1: Choosing the Right Topic

5.  Relevance to Your Field
• Align your topic with current trends or
problems in your area of study.
Example: If you are studying psychology, a
possible topic could be "The Effects of Social Media
on Teenagers' Self-Esteem."
 Interest and Passion
• Choose something that excites you— you’ll be
working on it for a long time.
Example: If you enjoy environmental issues, you
could study "Sustainable Energy Solutions for
Urban Areas."
Narrow Focus
• Avoid topics that are too broad to make your
research more manageable.
Example: Instead of studying "Mental Health," focus
on "The Impact of Online Learning on College
Students' Mental Health During COVID-19."
 What is a Research Plan?
A step-by-step guide outlining how you’ll
answer your research question.
What to Include:
The methods you will use to gather data.
Example: If your research question is
“How does remote work affect employee
productivity?” your plan could include
surveys for employees and interviews with
managers.
Step 4: Creating a Research Plan
Step 3: Conducting a Literature Review

6. 1.Types of Data:
 Qualitative Data:
1. Descriptive information (e.g., interviews,
observations).
2. Example: Interviewing teachers about
their experiences with online learning.
 Quantitative Data:
1. Numerical data (e.g., surveys, statistics).
2. Example: Surveying 100 students on how
often they use study apps and comparing
this with their grades.
1. Surveys: Best for collecting data from large
groups.
Example: A survey with questions like
"How many hours do you spend on social
media each day?" to study the effect of
social media on teenagers.
2. Interviews: Use open-ended questions to
gather detailed insights.
Example: Interview managers to
understand how remote work has
impacted team collaboration.
3. Experiments: Conduct experiments to test
a hypothesis.
Example: If studying how lighting affects
productivity, create an experiment where
one group works in bright light and
another in dim light, then compare results.
Step 6: Collecting Data
Step 5: Data Collection Methods

7. How to Analyze Qualitative Data:
Look for themes or patterns in interview
responses.
Example: In interviews with teachers about
online learning, you might notice recurring
themes like "lack of student engagement"
or "technical issues.“
How to Analyze Quantitative Data:
Use graphs or tables to make sense of the
numbers.
Example: If you surveyed students about
social media use and grades, you could
create a chart showing the relationship
between hours spent on social media and
 Avoid Complex Jargon
Keep your language simple and
straightforward, especially if you’re
explaining technical concepts.
Example: Instead of “Photosynthetic
photon flux density was measured,” say
“The amount of light used in
photosynthesis was measured.”
 Use Short Sentences
Clear and short sentences help readers
follow your argument.
Example: Instead of “In regard to the
experiment conducted,” say “In our
experiment…”
Step 8:WritingYour Research Paper
Step 7:Analysing Data

8. S T E P 9 :
W R I T I N G Y O U R R E S E A R C H P A P E R
Introduce your
topic and research
question.
Example: “This
paper investigates
the impact of online
learning on the
mental health of
college students
during the COVID-
19 pandemic.”
Summarize key
studies that relate
to your research.
Describe how you
collected your data.
Example: “Surveys
were conducted
with 150 college
students aged 18–
25.”
Present the data you
collected.
Example: “The
survey found that
60% of students
reported increased
anxiety due to
online learning.”
Interpret what your
results mean.
Example: “These
findings suggest that
online learning may
have negatively
impacted students’
mental well-being,
particularly in the
absence of social
interaction.”
Summarize your
research and suggest
future studies.
Conclusion:
Discussion:
Results:
Methodology:
Literature
Review:
Introduction:

9. StructuringYour Paper
Basic Structure of a
Thesis:
Introduction: Present
your topic and thesis
statement.
Literature Review:
Summarize existing
research on your topic.
Methodology: Explain
how you conducted your
research.
Results: Present your
data or findings.
Discussion: Interpret
the results and explain
their significance.
Conclusion: Summarize
your thesis and suggest
areas for future research.
Example: For a project on "The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health,"
the results might include surveys or statistics on social media use, followed
by a discussion of their impact on different age groups.

10. Why It's Important:
Ensures your paper is free from errors and
flows smoothly.
Tips: Take breaks between drafts to review
your work with fresh eyes.
Ask someone else to proofread your paper.
Use grammar tools like Grammarly for basic
checks.
Example: You might find that a paragraph
explaining your data collection is unclear, so
you rewrite it for better clarity.
 Recap Key Points
Summarize the main arguments and findings of
your paper.
Example: “This thesis has shown that
social media usage significantly increases
anxiety in teenagers, particularly those
who spend more than four hours per day
online.”
 Significance and Future Research
Explain why your findings matter and suggest
future research directions.
Example: “Further research could explore
how parental monitoring of social media
affects teenage anxiety.”
Step 11:Writing a Strong Conclusion
Step 10: Revising and Proofreading

11. D E C I S I O N - M A K I N G
Be Clear and Concise:
Avoid complex sentences or
jargon.
Example: Instead of “The
experimental apparatus was utilized
for data collection purposes,” write
“We used the equipment to collect
data.”
Use Headings:
Organize your paper with clear
section headings like
“Methodology” or “Results.”
CiteYour Sources:
Why is Citing Important?
•Gives credit to the original authors for
their ideas.
•Prevents plagiarism by acknowledging
where you got your information.
•Helps others find the sources you used
for further reading.
Citing a Website Example (APA)
•In-text citation: (Author or
Organization, Year)
• Example: "Dry eyes are a
common issue for contact lens
users" (American Optometric
Association, 2022).
•Full citation in References:
• American Optometric
Association. (2022). Dry Eyes
and Contact Lenses. Retrieved
from
https://www.aoa.org/dry-
eyes-and-contact-lenses

12. EXAMPLE STUDY 1:
THE IMPACT OF
BLUE LIGHT ON
EYE HEALTH
Research Question:
“Does prolonged exposure to blue
light from digital devices cause long-
term damage to the retina?”
Methodology:
A group of 100 participants was
monitored over a year, using eye
exams and blue light exposure
tracking.
Results:
40% of participants reported
increased eye strain.
No significant structural damage was
found in short-term studies.
Conclusion:
The study suggests that while blue
light may cause discomfort, there is
not enough evidence for long-term
damage from moderate exposure.
Implications forVision
Care:
Regular breaks from screen time and
the use of blue-light-filtering lenses
can reduce eye strain.
CASE STUDIES:

13. EXAMPLE
STUDY 1:
THE IMPACT
OF BLUE
LIGHT ON
EYE HEALTH
• “Can Ortho-K lenses slow the progression of
myopia in children?”
Research
Question:
• A two-year study of 200 children aged 6–12
who wore Ortho-K lenses was conducted.
Methodology:
• Children who wore the lenses showed a 50%
slower progression of myopia compared to
those who wore traditional glasses.
Results:
• Ortho-K is an effective non-surgical method
for managing myopia in children.
Conclusion:
• Optometrists can recommend Ortho-K as an
option for pediatric patients with progressing
myopia.
Implications
forVision
Care:

14. EXAMPLE STUDY 3:
VISUAL ACUITY
CHANGES IN
DIABETIC PATIENTS
•“How does uncontrolled diabetes affect visual acuity over
time?”
Research
Question:
•A study tracking 150 diabetic patients over five years,
measuring changes in vision and retinal health.
Methodology:
•65% of patients with poorly controlled blood sugar levels
experienced significant vision loss.
•Diabetic retinopathy was present in 45% of patients.
Results:
•Early intervention and blood sugar control can slow the
progression of vision loss in diabetic patients.
Conclusion:
•Optometrists should regularly screen diabetic patients and
work closely with primary care providers to manage their
condition.
Implications for
Vision Care:

15. CONCLUSION: KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER
Text
Start with a Focused Topic
Write Clearly and
Concisely
Analyze and PresentYour
Data
PlanYour Data Collection
Method
Develop a Clear Research
Question
 Ensure your research question is answerable and guides your study.
 Example:“What is the effect of blue light on eye strain in teenagers?”
 Review current research to understand the background of your topic and identify gaps in knowledge.
 Use reputable sources like PubMed or Google Scholar for finding vision care-related studies.
 Choose between qualitative (interviews, observations) and quantitative (surveys, experiments) methods.
 In vision care, this could mean using clinical trials, patient surveys, or eye exams.
 Use visual aids (charts, graphs) to simplify data analysis.
 In optometry, you might compare vision test results before and after a treatment, or survey data on
patient satisfaction
 Use simple, direct language to explain complex ideas.
 Organize your paper with clear sections: introduction, methods, results, and discussion.
Conduct Thorough
Literature Review
Proofread and Revise
 Choose a topic that is specific, relevant, and interesting to you.
 In optometry, focus on emerging trends like digital eye strain, myopia control, or diabetic eye care.
 Take time to review your paper for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.
 Seek feedback from peers or mentors to strengthen your arguments.

16. USEFUL LINKS FOR RESEARCH AND DATA COLLECTION
1. Google Scholar
• A powerful search engine for academic papers across multiple
disciplines.
Link: https://scholar.google.com
2. PubMed
• A reliable source for medical and vision care research articles,
including clinical studies in optometry.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3. Journals in Optometry
• Optometry and Vision Science Journal: Covers research
in the field of vision science.
Link: https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/pages/default.aspx
4. MIT OpenCourseWare: Research Skills
• Free courses on academic research methods, covering topics
like how to structure research, analyze data, and write reports.
• Link: https://ocw.mit.edu
5. Coursera: Research ProposalWriting
• Offers online courses on how to write research proposals and
design research projects, suitable for students across disciplines.
• Link:
https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=research%20proposal
6. American Optometric Association (AOA)
• Resources, guidelines, and recent studies in optometry and eye care.
Link: https://www.aoa.org
7. Zotero
• A free reference management tool to organize and cite sources
while writing your research paper.
Link: https://www.zotero.org
8. EndNote
• A citation management software helpful for managing references in
large-scale projects.
Link: https://endnote.com

17. FINAL THOUGHT
Writing a research paper is a systematic
process that improves with practice. Whether
studying new eye care technologies or patient
experiences, your research has the potential to
influence vision care practices.
Approach your research with curiosity
and perseverance, and remember each
study contributes to advancing the field
of optometry!

18. "Thanks for staying awake during all those
research tips! 🧐
Your eyes are safe... for now! "
️ 👁️
"Good luck with your Research—and
remember to take screen breaks! 😎
Scan to Connect