Pilot Studies

Question 1

The aims of piloting

Answer 1

• small scale trial run of the actual investigation;
• allows the researcher to identify any potential issues and modify the design or procedure, for the actual investigation
  E.g. with self-report methods; remove any ambiguous wording or confusing words

Question 2

Single blind procedure

Answer 2

• any information that might create expectations is nit revealed to the pts until the end of the study to control for the confounding effects of demand characteristics

Question 3

Double blind procedure

Answer 3

• neither the pts or the researcher is aware of the aims of the investigation
• used in drug trials; treatment is administer by a 3rd party independent of the investigation; they don’t know which ones are real or which are placebos.
• can’t influence pts behaviour

Question 4

Control groups and conditions

Answer 4

• control groups are used for comparison - if the experimental group has greater change in beh than control; conclude that the IV caused the change.