Experimentation- Pilot Study

Question 1

What is a pilot study?

Answer 1

Pilot studies are small scale preliminary studies which aim to investigate whether crucial components of a main study will be feasible

Question 2

Why are pilot studies integral to the development of an investigation?

Answer 2

They help to plan procedures, assess validity and check techniques allowing the evaluation and modification of experimental design

Question 3

What do pilot studies ensure?

Answer 3

That the person carrying out the experiment to have an appropriate range of values for the independent variable. In addition it allows the investigator to establish the number of repeat measurements required to give a representative value for each independent datum point

Question 4

What are the advantages of a pilot study?

Answer 4

-Allows a new protocol to be developed
-Ensures an appropriate range of values for the independent variable
-Allows practice of an established protocol
-Avoids results for the dependent variable going “off the scale”
-Checks whether results can be produced in suitable time frame
-Allows the number of repeat measurements required to be estimated
-Allows identification of confounding variables which can then be controlled