Pilot Studies

• what is a pilot study

  small-scale trial run of the actual investigation
• what are the 2 main aims of a pilot study

  1. 'road test' the procedure & check the study runs smoothly

  2. identify potential issues & modify the design/procedure = saving time & money
• what may be checked in an experiment

  the procedure/instructions are clear (internal validity)
• what may be checked in a self-report study

  try out questions & remove/reword any that are ambiguous
• what may be checked in an observation study

  coding systems