Pilot studies (and more) Flashcards
What is a pilot study?
These are small-scale trial runs of an experiment. The purpose is to check that the procedure works smoothly and that there are no misconceptions. Any problems can be addressed and the procedures amended for the real study.
State examples of the usage of pilot studies.
When using self-report methods, such as questionnaires or interviews, it is helpful to try out questions in advance and remove or reword confusing ones.
In observational studies, a pilot study provides a way of checking coding systems before the real investigation is undertaken.
What is a single-blind procedure?
It’s when any information that might create expectations isn’t revealed to the participant until the end of the study to control for the confounding effects of demand characteristics.
What is a double-blind procedure?
It’s when neither the participant nor the researcher conducts the study is aware of the aims of the investigation (often a third party conducts the investigation without knowing its main purpose).
What’s the common uses of double-blind procedure?
Drug trials.
Treatment may be administered to participants by someone who’s independent of the investigation and who doesn’t know which drugs are real and which are placebos. If they don’t know then expectations can’t influence the participant’s behaviour.
