Pilot studies

Question 1

What is a pilot study?

Answer 1

A small-scale version that takes place before the actual investigation to check the aims & procedures and allows the researcher to make modifications if necessary

Question 2

What do pilot studies involve?

Answer 2

• a handful of pps instead of the actual number to ensure the investigation runs smoothly
• not just restricted to experimental studies but also self-report studies like questionnaires and interviews

Question 3

What do pilot studies help check in observational studies?

Answer 3

It provides a way to check coding systems before the real investigation

Question 4

What is a single-blind procedure?

Answer 4

• pps aren’t told the aim of the study & also other details like what conditions they are kept in or even if there is another condition
• it is an attempt to control confounding effects of demand characteristics

Question 5

What is a double-blind procedure?

Answer 5

• neither pps or researcher is aware of the aims of the study
• often a 3rd party conducts the study without knowing the aim
• they’re an important feature of drug trials: treatments given to patients may not be known to both the researcher or themselves - placebos are given to one group and the real drug given to another

Question 6

What are control groups & conditions?

Answer 6

• the group that receives real drug is the experimental group whilst the group given the placebo is the control group
• control is used in studies for comparison
• if change in behaviour is significant in experimental group compared to control the researcher can conclude the cause of this was the IV