Pilot studies

• What is a pilot study?


  A pilot study is a small-scale version of an investigation which is done before the real investigation is undertaken.
• Why are pilot studies carried out?


  They are carried out to allow potential problems of the study to be identified and procedures to be modified to deal with these.

  
  

  This allows money and time to be saved in the long run.
• How is a pilot study carried out?


  A few participants are used to perform a road test of the procedure and materials.
• What is a single-blind procedure?


  A single-blind procedure is when participants are not told the aim of the study or if there are different experimental groups.
• What are the strengths of a single-blind procedure?


  It reduces demand characteristics.
• What is a double-blind procedure?


  A double-blind procedure is when neither the participants or the experimenter (third party) are told the aims of the study or if there are different experimental groups.
• When are double-blind procedures used?


  They are often used in drug trials so nobody knows who is receiving the placebo.
• What are the strengths of a double-blind procedure?


  It reduces demand characteristics and investigator effects.