Pilot Studies

• When are pilot studies run?

  Before the experiment
• Why are pilot studies ran?

  To check the feasibility of the research or improve the research design.
• What are the benefits of a pilot study?

  • It can help to identify design issues
  • It can save (t)ime
  • It can save (r)esources
  • It can save (m)oney
  • It provides flexibilty
• Give a strength of pilot studies in terms of time

  It can save alot of time. -> researchers can uncover issues in the study before the main study starts. -> preventing delays and setbacks during the main study therefore saving time.
• Give a strength of pilot studies in terms of resources

  Require fewer resources. -> typically involve smaller sample size and shorter duration so require less financial and human resources. -> allows the researcher to test protocols and procedures without committing extensive resources upfront.
• Give a limitation of pilot studies in terms of flexibility

  Excessive modifications can introduce instability and inconsistency into the research design. -> researchers must strike a balance between flexibility and rigor to ensure that changes made during the pilot study are warranted and do not compromise the integrity of the findings.
• Give a limitation of pilot studies in terms of cost

  Still involves a cost. -> in the long run the researcher will have to pay for both the pilot study and the main study adding to the cost of the overall research.