Research Methods- Pilot studies (and more) Flashcards
Pilot study -
A small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted.
The aim is to check that procedures, materials, measuring scales, etc., work and to allow the researcher to make changes or modifications if necessary.
What is the aim of a pilot study?
The aim is to check that procedures, materials, measuring scales, etc., work and to allow the researcher to make changes or modifications if necessary.
What is the purpose of a pilot study?
The purpose is to ensure the investigation runs smoothly, identify and fix problems, and save time and money in the long run.
What is a pilot study?
A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of the actual investigation, used to test procedures and identify potential issues before the full study is conducted.
How many participants are typically involved in a pilot study?
A pilot study usually involves a small number of participants, rather than the total number planned for the full study.
Why are pilot studies useful in self-report methods like questionnaires or interviews?
They help identify ambiguous or confusing questions, allowing researchers to reword or remove them before the main study.
How do pilot studies benefit observational research?
They allow researchers to test and refine coding systems and train observers before the actual investigation begins.
What is a single-blind procedure?
A single-blind procedure is when participants are unaware of the study’s aims, their experimental condition, or the existence of other conditions to control for demand characteristics.
What is the goal of a single-blind procedure?
The goal is to prevent participants from altering their behavior based on their knowledge of the study, reducing the impact of demand characteristics.
What is a double-blind procedure?
A double-blind procedure is when neither the participants nor the researcher conducting the study knows the aims or conditions of the investigation, often managed by a third party.
Why are double-blind procedures important in drug trials?
They prevent bias by ensuring neither participants nor researchers know who receives the real drug or a placebo, ensuring unbiased results.
What is a control group or condition?
A control group or condition is a baseline group that does not receive the experimental treatment (e.g., receives a placebo) and is used for comparison.
What is the purpose of a control group in research?
The control group sets a baseline to compare against the experimental group, helping determine if changes in behavior are due to the independent variable.
What is an experimental group or condition?
The experimental group or condition is the group that receives the treatment or intervention being tested in the study.
How does a control group help establish cause and effect?
If the experimental group shows significantly greater changes than the control group, researchers can conclude the independent variable caused the effect, assuming other variables are controlled.
What are demand characteristics?
Demand characteristics are cues that participants use to guess the study’s aims, potentially altering their behavior and affecting the results.
What is a placebo in a drug trial?
A placebo is a fake treatment (e.g., a sugar pill) given to the control group to compare against the real drug’s effects.
What is the role of a third party in a double-blind procedure?
A third party administers the treatment without knowing its purpose or which participants receive the real treatment or placebo, ensuring objectivity.
What is the difference between a single-blind and a double-blind procedure?
In a single-blind procedure, only participants are unaware of the study’s aims or conditions, while in a double-blind procedure, both participants and researchers are unaware.
How does a pilot study help improve the reliability of a study?
By identifying and resolving issues in the procedure, a pilot study ensures the main study runs more smoothly and produces reliable results.
Why is it important to test coding systems in observational studies?
Testing coding systems ensures consistency and accuracy in data collection, reducing errors in the main study.
What is the significance of using a placebo in research?
A placebo helps isolate the effect of the independent variable by providing a comparison group that does not receive the actual treatment.
How does a pilot study contribute to ethical research practices?
By identifying potential issues early, a pilot study helps minimize risks to participants and ensures the main study is conducted ethically and effectively.
What is an example of a double-blind procedure?
In a drug trial, neither the participants nor the researcher administering the treatment knows who receives the real drug or a placebo, with a third party managing the process.
What is an example of a single-blind procedure?
In a drug trial, participants do not know whether they are receiving the real drug or a placebo, but the researcher administering the treatment does.
