Vague question — Write one testable research question + 1–2 sentence thesis.

Scope creep — Define population, timeframe, and methods; stick to them.

Lit review = summaries — Synthesize themes/gaps and link them to your question.

Fuzzy methods — Specify design, sample, instruments, variables, analysis.

Messy data/figures — Keep a data log; label units, n, sources, and axes.

P-values only — Report effect sizes, CIs, and assumption checks; avoid fishing.

Citation chaos — Use a reference manager; one style (APA/MLA/Chicago) consistently.

Ethics misses — Get approvals/consent, anonymize data, secure storage.

Thin discussion — State implications, limits, and concrete next steps.

Late feedback — Seek early/iterative reviews; revise in passes (structure → clarity → style).