4.2.3.1 PILOT STUDIES AND THE AIMS OF PILOTING

Question 1

what are pilot studies?

Answer 1

• small scale practise investigations

Question 2

when are pilot studies carried out?

Answer 2

prior to the research to identify any issues which could arise

Question 3

what do pilot studies do?

Answer 3

identify problems in the design, method or analysis, allowing them to be altered and fixed

Question 4

what can ppts do to help with pilot studies?

Answer 4

can also help identify issues and propose changes that stop demand characteristics from happening

Question 5

when are changes made as a result of pilot studies?

Answer 5

made before the full research takes place to try and ensure a higher level of validity

Question 6

what are 5 things that a pilot study checks?

Answer 6

1) avoids wasted time and money being used inadequately

2) checks the respondents understand the terminology used int he questionnaire

3) checks the emotive questions haven’t been used as they make people defensive and could invalidate their answers

4) checks that leading questions haven’t been used as they could bias the respondent’s answer

5) ensures the questionnaire can be completed in an appropriate time frame