Pilot Studies

• What is a pilot study?

  A small-scale trial run of the investigation
• What is the purpose of a pilot study?

  To identify potential issues and modify design
• How can a pilot study save time and money?

  By allowing modifications before the main study
• In what methods can a pilot study be used?

  In all methods, including experiments and questionnaires
• What might be checked in an experiment during a pilot study?

  If the task is too easy or difficult
• What can be identified and modified in a questionnaire during a pilot study?

  Ambiguous or confusing questions
• What is a single blind procedure?

  Participants are not told the true purpose
• Why is a single blind procedure used?

  To reduce demand characteristics
• What is a double blind procedure?

  Neither participants nor researchers know the purpose
• What is the purpose of a double blind procedure?

  To reduce demand characteristics and investigator effects
• What is a control group?

  Participants who do not receive the experimental treatment
• What role does a control group play in research?

  Acts as a baseline and source of comparison
• What can a researcher conclude if there is a difference in the experimental group?

  The difference is due to the independent variable
• What are the key features of pilot studies?

  • Small-scale trial run
  • Identifies potential issues
  • Allows design modifications
  • Saves time and money
• What are the differences between single blind and double blind procedures?

  Single Blind:

  • Participants unaware of true purpose

  
  

  Double Blind:

  • Neither participants nor researchers know the purpose
• What is the significance of control groups in experiments?

  • Provide a baseline for comparison
  • Help determine the effect of the independent variable