pilot studies

Question 1

what are the aims of piloting?

Answer 1

• it is a small scale trial of the actual investigation

Question 2

what happens in a pilot study?

Answer 2

• involves a handful of participants, rather than the actual number in order to ‘road-test’ the procedure and check the investigation runs smoothly

Question 3

what are pilot studies not restricted to?

Answer 3

• experimental studies
• when using self-report methods, such as questionnaires or interviews, it is helpful to try out questions in advance and remove or reword those that are ambiguous or confusing

Question 4

how are pilot studies used in observational studies?

Answer 4

• a pilot study provides a way of checking coding systems before the real investigation is undertaken
• this may be an important part of training observers.

Question 5

what does a pilot study allow the researcher to do?

Answer 5

allows the researcher to identify any potential issues and to modify the design or procedure, saving time and money in the long run