pilot studies (& more)

Question 1

define a pilot study

Answer 1

small-scale trial run of actual investigation

Question 2

describe a pilot study

Answer 2

• involves handful of participants
• not just restricted to experimental studies eg. used in interviews/questionnaires (self-report)
• observational studies: way of checking coding systems prior to real investigation (important part of training observers)
• allows researcher to identify any potential issues & modifying design/procedure which saves time/money in long run

Question 3

describe a single-blind procedure

Answer 3

• not be told aim of research at beginning of study
• other details kept
• any info that might create expectations withhold until end of study to control confounding effects of demand characteristics
• researcher aware

Question 4

describe a double-blind procedure

Answer 4

• neither participants nor researcher is aware of aims
• important feature of drug trials
• if researcher doesn’t know what each participant is receiving (eg. placebo/drug), then expectations cannot influence participant behaviour

Question 5

what group is the participant which receive the placebo in a drug trial

Answer 5

control group