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Mobile Ad hoc Networks have become an attractive option for military and disaster-response operations. Its ad hoc nature allows for fast deployment and requires no pre-existing network infrastructure. Most of the MANET protocol development is achieved by means of simulation due to the cost of running real world applications. However, it has become apparent in recent research papers that the simulations of these networks do not adequately reflect reality. In this paper, we aim to investigate some of the assumptions that are made during MANET protocol development and how these assumptions affect the results of these studies. A framework is suggested to help assist future studies to be more attentive to these assumptions. This framework aims at improving the credibility of MANET research for future deployment of MANET systems. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]