The document discusses key criteria for evaluating research studies: reliability and validity of outcome measures, fidelity of the experimental intervention, handling of missing data and attrition, accounting for potential confounding variables, and appropriate analysis. It also provides guidance on developing a thesis statement, including defining a thesis, testing a tentative thesis, and what constitutes a dissertation or research project.

3. Good research is: Well informed Thorough Intelligent Systematic (covering
all the relevant points in the most logical and reader-friendly order
possible)Allows for the possibility that one may be mistaken Allows for
verification (for example, by citing all sources carefully) As for , it is
important to grasp relevant background issues.
1. Reliability of Measures
Outcome measures should have acceptable reliability to be interpretable.
"Acceptable" here means reliability at a level that is conventionally
accepted by experts in the field.
2. Validity of Measures
Outcome measures should have acceptable validity to be interpretable.
"Acceptable" here means validity at a level that is conventionally accepted by
experts in the field.
3. Intervention Fidelity
The "experimental" intervention implemented in a study should have fidelity to
the intervention proposed by the applicant. Instruments that have tested
acceptable psychometric properties (e.g., inter-rater reliability, validity as
shown by positive association with outcomes) provide the highest level of
evidence.

4. 4. Missing Data and Attrition
Study results can be biased by participant attrition and other forms of missing
data. Statistical methods as supported by theory and research can be employed
to control for missing data and attrition that would bias results, but studies
with no attrition or missing data needing adjustment provide the strongest
evidence that results are not biased.
5. Potential Confounding Variables
Often variables other than the intervention may account for the reported
outcomes. The degree to which confounds are accounted for affects the
strength of causal inference.
6. Appropriateness of Analysis
Appropriate analysis is necessary to make an inference that an intervention
caused reported outcomes.

6. What is a thesis?
A thesis statement declares what you believe and what you intend to
prove. A good thesis statement makes the difference between a
thoughtful research project and a simple retelling of facts.
A good tentative thesis will help you focus your search for information.
But don't rush! You must do a lot of background reading before you know
enough about a subject to identify key or essential questions. You may not
know how you stand on an issue until you have examined the evidence. You
will likely begin your research with a working, preliminary or tentative
thesis which you will continue to refine until you are certain of where the
evidence leads.
The thesis statement is typically located at the end of your opening
paragraph. (The opening paragraph serves to set the context for the
thesis.)

7. How do you know if you've got a solid tentative thesis?
Try these five tests:
*Does the thesis inspire a reasonable reader to ask, "How?" or Why?"
*Would a reasonable reader NOT respond with "Duh!" or "So what?" or "Gee,
no kidding!" or "Who cares?"
*Does the thesis avoid general phrasing and/or sweeping words such as "all"
or "none" or "every"?
*Does the thesis lead the reader toward the topic sentences (the subtopics
needed to prove the thesis)?
*Can the thesis be adequately developed in the required length of the paper
or project?
If you cannot answer "YES" to these questions, what changes must you make
in order for your thesis to pass these tests?

9. What is a Dissertation?
Your dissertation, or research project, is probably the single most important assignment
you will undertake whilst at university, and is often a key indicator of your true
capabilities as a student and researcher.
A dissertation adheres to certain fundamental principles of academic writing:
It is a structured piece of writing that develops a clear line of thought (an 'argument') in
response to a central question or proposition ('thesis').
A dissertation is an extended piece of work, usually divided into chapters, and containing
a significantly more detailed examination of your subject matter and evidence than is the
case for most essays.
Because you usually have much more responsibility in choosing your research topic, and
for sourcing your supporting materials, your dissertation provides evidence of your
ability to carry out highly independent study and research.
You are typically expected to be clear about the methodology (investigative procedures
and rules) you have used to gather and evaluate your evidence. This aspect of producing a
dissertation has much greater emphasis than in a typical essay.
Those of you undertaking analysis of quantitative data must similarly ensure that you
adhere to the methodological requirements expected within your academic discipline and
that you utilise the appropriate software. You must satisfy yourself as to these
requirements within your subject area.