PILOT STUDIES

• A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of the study to check procedures, timings, materials, design etc to make any changes before the full study is conducted.
• Single blind procedure – some/all details of the study are kept from the participants such as the aim or which condition they are in. 

  This controls for demand characteristics and it’s the researcher's responsibility to debrief the participants. 
• Double blind procedure – researcher AND participants are both unaware of the aim of the study (a 3rd party may conduct the study) 

  Often used in drug trials (comparing drug with placebo) and is a control for investigator effects and demand characteristics.