pilot studies + more Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is a pilot study?
A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of the actual investigation.
Why are pilot studies conducted?
Pilot studies are conducted to ‘road-test’ the procedure and check the investigation runs smoothly.
How many participants are usually involved in a pilot study?
A pilot study involves a handful of participants, rather than the total number.
Are pilot studies only used in experimental research?
No, pilot studies are not just restricted to experimental studies.
How can pilot studies help with questionnaires or interviews?
They allow researchers to try out questions in advance and remove or reword ambiguous or confusing items.
What is the benefit of a pilot study in observational studies?
It provides a way of checking coding systems before the real investigation and helps train observers.
What is the main advantage of conducting a pilot study?
It helps identify potential issues and modify the design or procedure, saving time and money in the long run.
What is a single-blind procedure?
A single-blind procedure is when participants are not told the aim of the research or other details that might create expectations.
Why are single-blind procedures used?
They are used to control for the confounding effects of demand characteristics.
What is a double-blind procedure?
In a double-blind procedure, neither the participants nor the researcher knows the aims of the study or which group receives which treatment.
Who might conduct the investigation in a double-blind procedure?
A third party who is independent of the investigation.
Why are double-blind procedures important in drug trials?
They prevent expectations from influencing participant behavior as neither the researcher nor the participant knows who receives the real or placebo treatment.
What is a placebo?
A placebo is a ‘fake’ drug used as a control in experiments.
What is an experimental group?
The experimental group is the group that receives the real drug or treatment in a study.
What is a control group?
The control group is the group that receives the placebo or no treatment.
Why is a control group important?
It provides a baseline for comparison to determine the effect of the experimental variable.
What is a dependent variable?
The dependent variable is the outcome measured in an experiment.
What are confounding variables?
Confounding variables are other factors that could affect the dependent variable and must be controlled.
How can control conditions be used in repeated measures design?
Each participant takes part twice: once in the experimental condition and once in the control condition.
What is the main purpose of using control groups and conditions?
To ensure that any change in behavior is due to the experimental variable and not other factors.
