pilot studies

• What are the aims of a pilot study 

  -small scale trial run of the investigation 

  -road test the procedure and check the investigation runs smoothly 
• The benefits of a pilot study 

  -identifies any potential issues 

  -modifications can be made to the design procedure saving time and money in the long run 
• What is a single blind procedure 

  any information that might create expectations isn't reviewed until the end of the study to control for the confounding effects of demand characteristics 
• Ethical issues with single blind procedures 

  Participants not told aim of study so no informed consent and deception 
• Double blind procedure 

  Neither the participants or researcher who conducts the survey is aware of the aims of the investigation so the researchers expectations can't influence participant behaviour 
• Why are control groups used 

  For comparison, if the change in behaviour of the experimental group is significantly greater then that of the control group the researcher can conclude that cause of this effect was the IV