Pilot Studies

• A pilot study is effectively a trial run of a research method, usually with a very small sample, in order to ensure that the method will work as intended.
• A pilot study is like a pre-test to ensure the materials and procedures run smoothly.
• A pilot study allows the research design to be amended in order for it to work before too much time and money has been invested.
• Pilot studies are small, trial versions of proposed studies to test their effectiveness and make improvements.
• Pilot studies are helpful in identifying potential issues early, which can then be rectified before committing to the length and expense of a full investigation.
• The pilot study is an important part of the experimental process and is good practice which is widely used.
• Pilot studies are useful to identify a floor effect - sometimes the task is too hard because none of the participants can score at all or complete the task, so performance is low.
• Pilot studies are useful to identify a ceiling effect - when the task is so easy that all participants achieve high marks or top performances, so are 'hitting the ceiling.'
• Pilot studies also provide researchers with preliminary data to gain insight into their proposed experiment’s potential results.
• To avoid bias, pilot studies are usually carried out on individuals who are as similar to the target population but not those who will be a part of the final sample.