pilot studies

Question 1

What is a pilot study?

Answer 1

Practice study trial run before the actual investigation. Uses a smaller sample of required participants to check investigatioj runs smoothly.

Question 2

When is a pilot study good to use?

Answer 2

When using a questionnaire or interview to ensure the questions make sense and do not need rewording. Look for any potential problems to modify the procedure.

Question 3

What is a single-blind procedure?

Answer 3

Participants are not told what the aim of the study is at the beginning of the study. May include other details like what condition they’re in or if they’re the only condition.
Any information that may create expectations are not revealed until the end to control characteristics and confounding variables.

Question 4

What is a double-blind procedure?

Answer 4

Neither participants or researcher is aware of the aims of the study - a third party is involved.

Question 5

When are double-blind procedures used?

Answer 5

Drug trials, so treatment may be given to participants by someone who doesn’t know which drugs are which, meaning they cannot influence.

Question 6

What is a control group?

Answer 6

Control over variables and is used in experimental studies for comparison. If behaviour is different in the control group than the experimental, then the researcher can conclude the cause was due to the IV.

Question 7

When can control groups be used?

Answer 7

Independent groups, repeated meausures