Pilot studies

• definition

  • a small scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted
  • the aim is to check that procedures, materials, measuring scales etc work and to allow researchers to make changes or modifications if necessary
• BEAT IT

  Boredom checks - too many tasks/too much time

  Equipment - working correctly, behavioural categories operationalised and understood

  Aims + procedures - they may guess researchers aim

  Timing - too much/too little time

  Instructions - are they clear/avoid jargon

  Training - inexperienced researchers can be trained + can learn from their mistakes

  take a random sample of the target population and conduct a small scale trial run of the full investigation