Ø Validity and reliability: these qualities refer to the statistical research and its result. The analytical tools used for research must be valid for the nature of research at hand and applied with accuracy. The results thus derived must be reliable and answer the question raised in the research. Even a small mistake in the application of tests, creation of modules, or selection of methods will distort the results. The correct interpretation of the results is also critical for reliability of research. Statistical results are in a tabular form, mostly in figures and percentages. They need to be converted into meaningful statements.
Ø Authenticity: presence of plagiarism in a research document can tarnish the image of the scholar in front of the review committee, apart from causing the rejection of the research. Plagiarism does not always have to be intentional. It can be a result of misrepresentation of sources or matching someone’s style of writing. For technical documents, the writer must pay attention on the use of similar jargons and terms. The finished document must be subjected to a plagiarism, check, to ensure that the matching content is within the acceptable level.
Ø Timeliness: finishing and submitting work on time is another essential factor. In rare cases, a scholar gets an extension for submission. However, completion of research on time ensures a positive evaluation. The time must be estimated after keeping a buffer for printing and binding of the dissertation, as required for presentation.
Keeping these rules in mind while doing the research work will help the scholar avoid mistakes and repetitive work.