If you do not how merit has been useful and works go to Meta section, you will find the pinned thread has been created by the admin Theymos. That thread will explain the how the merit has been used in this forum and why it has been evolved in this forum.
If you create a thread with the statistical analysis and technical assistance you will get the merits for sure. If you do not get also keep the same work for long time dude. You will get it then.