Pilot studies

• What is a pilot study?

  A small scale trial run of an investigation
• Why do researchers conduct pilot studies?

  To ensure the investigation runs smoothly
• What types of investigations can use pilot studies?

  Experiments, observational studies, and self-reports
• What is checked during a pilot study?

  Procedures, instructions, and materials
• Why is it important to check materials in a pilot study?

  To ensure they function correctly during the study
• What can researchers identify through pilot studies?

  Issues that might occur in the main investigation
• What is a major strength of conducting a pilot study?

  It prevents wasting time and money on flawed research
• How can a pilot study help with questionnaire design?

  By identifying ambiguous wording and readability issues
• What happens if problems are discovered during the main investigation?

  Changes cannot be made without losing standardization
• What is a potential drawback of pilot studies?

  They can be time-consuming to conduct
• What might a pilot study reveal about operationalizing behaviors?

  Some behaviors may be difficult to define clearly
• What is the role of feedback in a pilot study?

  To improve procedures and methodology
• What are the processes involved in conducting a pilot study?

  • Conduct a small scale trial run
  • Check procedures and instructions
  • Test materials and measuring scales
  • Gather feedback from participants
  • Make necessary modifications
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of pilot studies?

  Strengths:

  • Prevents wasting time and resources
  • Identifies issues before the main study

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Time-consuming to conduct
  • May reveal difficult-to-solve problems