Pilot Studies Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is a pilot study?

A small trial run done before the main study. It tests if the plan works.

Why do sociologists use a pilot study?

To spot problems, check questions make sense, and improve the design.

What are the basic steps in a pilot study?

Plan the method, try it with a few people, note any problems, then make changes.

What can a pilot study check in a questionnaire?

If the wording is clear, the length is right, and the layout is easy to follow.

What can a pilot study check in an interview or observation?

If questions are clear, timings work, and observation categories are understood.

How can a pilot study improve validity?

By fixing unclear or leading questions so the study measures what it should.

How can a pilot study improve reliability?

By making the steps the same each time so results are consistent.

What practical issues can a pilot study reveal?

Problems with time, cost, access, training, or equipment.

What might researchers change after a pilot study?

They may rewrite questions, change the order, add or drop items, or adjust timings.

Do researchers normally include pilot data in the final results?

No. Pilot data is usually not included, as it is only a test.

What is another name for a pilot study?

A pre-test.

How can a pilot study help with ethics?

It checks consent forms are clear, questions are not too sensitive, and privacy is protected.