What are the purposes of completing a pilot study? (Select all that apply.)

Question

a. It provides nominal and ordinal data with which the researcher can construct better instruments.
b. It helps identify problems the researcher might encounter while collecting data.
c. It justifies the existence of a research gap.
d. It gives the researcher preliminary data to present to the institutional review board in order to obtain permission to conduct research.
e. It provides an idea of the timelines of the proposed study, including instrument completion and subject recruitment.

Answer 1

ANS: B, E
Completing a pilot study may save the researcher difficulty later when the final steps of the research process are implemented. Pilot testing helps to identify problems that might be encountered while collecting data, and helps develop strategies for addressing potential problems. Following approval of the study by your institutional review board (IRB), the study's approved research plan is used to recruit 3 to 5 pilot subjects who meet the eligibility criteria. The same study data collection methods are utilized, paying special attention to how long it takes to recruit a subject, obtain informed consent, and collect the data. Often, the participant is asked to identify questions or aspects of the process that were unclear or confusing. Based on the pilot study and feedback of the first subjects, data collection forms and methods of data collection may be modified to improve feasibility, validity, and reliability.