Lesson 7: Pilot Studies

• What is a pilot study?

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

  To test the feasibility of the actual investigation
• How many participants are typically used in a pilot study?

  A small number of participants
• Can pilot studies be used for methods other than experimental studies?

  Yes, they can include interviews or questionnaires
• What is a single-blind procedure?

  Participants are not told information creating expectations
• How does a single-blind procedure help in research?

  It controls confounding effects of demand characteristics
• What is a double-blind procedure?

  Neither participants nor researchers know the true aims
• Who sets up the experiment in a double-blind procedure?

  A non-participating third-party researcher
• What is the role of the investigator in a double-blind procedure?

  Another investigator carries out the experiment
• What is the purpose of a control group?

  Used for comparison and sets the baseline
• How does a control group help researchers?

  It helps conclude that effects are due to the IV
• In what designs can a control group be used?

  Independent group design or repeated measures design
• What does an experimental group do?

  It shows the effect of the IV on the DV
• How does the behavior of the experimental group help establish cause and effect?

  If their behavior change is greater than the control group
• What is the significance of establishing cause and effect in research?

  It determines the relationship between IV and DV