Bias and pilot studies

Question 1

What do researchers have to make do with

Answer 1

Samples that aren’t representative

Question 2

What do sociologists need to be aware of

Answer 2

Any bias in their research method or sample

Question 3

How can bias be discovered

Answer 3

By doing a pilot study

Question 4

What is a pilot study

Answer 4

A small-scale dress rehearsal of the study using a sub-section of the sample

Question 5

What are pilot studies useful

Answer 5

They act as an early warning system for problems that have arisen out of operationalisation of the hypothesis or choice of sample

Question 6

What can pilot studies check for

Answer 6

• Whether questions are clearly understood an interpreted in the same way
• That the questions do not upset or lead the participants
• That the sampling technique is successful in obtaining the right type of people to fill in the questionnaire
• That interviewing teams are well trained
• That the data produced is the kind wanted