Introduction:Introduction:

Pilot study is a small scale preliminary study

conducted in order to evaluate feasibility, time, cost,

adverse events, and effect size (Statistical variability)

in an attempt to predict an appropriate sample size

and improve upon the study design prior to

performance of a full scale research project.

ObjectivesObjectives 1.Pilot study is a small experiment designed to test logistics

2. Gather information prior to a large study

3. Improve the actual study’s quality and efficiency

4.Reveal deficiencies in the design of a proposed

experiment or procedure and these can then be

addressed before time

5. A good research strategy requires careful planning and

a pilot study will often be a part of this strategy

DefinitionDefinition::

A smaller version of a larger study that is conducted to prepare

for that study. A pilot study can involve pretesting a research tool,

like a new data collection method. It can also be used to test an

idea or hypothesis.

Pilot studies are used as ‘feasibility studies’, to ensure that the

ideas or methods behind a research idea are sound, as well as to

“work out the kinks” in a study protocol before launching a larger

study.

AdvantagesAdvantages: :

1.Carried out before large scale quantitative research in an attempt

to avoid time and money being wasted on an inadequately

designed project.

2.It is a potentially valuable insight and should anything be missing

in the pilot study, it can be added to the full scale (and more

expensive) experiment to improve the chances of a clear outcome.

3.Pilot experiments are used to sell a product and provide

quantitative proof that the system has potential to succeed on a full

scale basis.

4.In social science, pilot studies can be referred to as

small scale studies that will help identify design

issues before the main research is done.

5.It permits preliminary testing of the hypothesis that

leads to testing more precise hypothesis in the main

study. It may lead to changing some hypothesis,

dropping some or developing new hypothesis.

6.It often provides the researcher with ideas,

approaches, and clues you may not have foreseen

before conducting the pilot study

7. It permits a thorough check of the planned statistical and

analytical procedures, giving you a chance to evaluate their

usefulness for the data. You may then be able to make needed

alterations in the data collecting methods, and therefore, analyze

data in the main study more efficiently

8. It can greatly reduce the number of unanticipated problems

because you have an opportunity to redesign parts of your study to

overcome difficulties that pilot study reveals.

9. In the pilot study, the researcher may try out a number of

alternative measures and then select those that produce the

clearest results for the main study.

Limitations:Limitations:

1.Pilot study is done on a smaller scale. Thus, actual results of the

study may vary from the results of pilot study.

2. Pilot studies, therefore, may not be appropriate for case studies

3. A pilot study is usually carried out on members of the relevant

population, but not on those who will form part of the final

sample

4. A pilot study is normally small in comparison with the main

experiment and therefore, can provide only limited information

on the sources and magnitude of variation of response measures