When selecting a stock, I would suggest a long term investment, at least from one year onwards. A short term investor or a day trader would lose out on the dividends, bonus shares if any, and so on.

A day trader is one who buys and sells a particular share on the same day for the profits/losses to be made on the same day, or on the same business session that he chooses. More often he doesn't have much knowledge on the particular stock, and he depends on the stock broker to do the buying and selling for him.

A long time investor is more planned and has better knowledge of what he is doing.

Even if a particular stock goes down on a short period, one need not panic on a long term investment, if the stock is really good.

Be sure to check whether the management of the company is stable, check on the past performance of the company, nature of the products sold, and so on.

Start with a small amount and gradually build up a portfolio of good stocks.

I do hope the few tips given above will give some ideas to beginners in investment of stocks. I shall get back with more ideas later.