This document discusses pilot studies and pretesting research instruments. It defines a pilot study as a miniature version of the planned research that tests various research elements to identify problems. A pilot study covers the entire research process from planning to data collection and analysis. The objectives of a pilot study are to test all aspects of the research proposal and identify issues. Pretesting refers specifically to testing a research instrument like a survey. The purposes of pretesting are to evaluate if the instrument will collect the needed data and if the questions are clear to respondents.

1. Pilot study
• Prof Suchitra A Rati

2. INTRODUCTION
• Pilot study is the study carried out at the end
of the planning phase of research, in order to
explore and test the research elements.
• A pilot study is a miniature version of the
planned research, searcher to identify and
correct problems which could affect the
research process.
• The pilot study is a small scale dress rehearsal
that proceeds as if it were the actual study,
except for the fact, that subjects who will
participate in the actual study are not use.
However, they may be selected at this point.

3. DEFINITION:
• It covers the entire process of research:
preparation of a broad plan of the study,
construction of tools, collection of data,
processing and analysis of data and report
writing.
• The pilot study is a small preliminary
investigation of the same general character as
the major study, which is designed to acquaint
the research with problems that can be
corrected.

4. OBJECTIVE OF THE PILOT STUDY:
• is to test as many elements of the research
proposal as possible, in order to correct any part
that does not work well. For example, the pilot
study tests whether the variable defined by
operational definition are actually observable and
measurable. The population it is to cover,
• What are the issues involved? What method of
study is appropriate? How long the study will
take? How much it will cost?
• A pilot study is a “small scale replica” of the main
study.
• It covers the entire process of research:
preparation of a broad plan of the study,
construction of tools, collection of data,
processing and analysis of data and report writing.

5. PURPOSE OF A PILOT STUDY
• A pilot study fulfils one or more of the following
purposes;
• It provides a better knowledge of the problem
under study and its dimensions.
• It provides guidance on conceptualization-
identification and operationalization of concepts
relating to the study.
• It assists in discovering the nature of relationship
between variables and in formulating hypothesis.
• It shows the nature of the population to be
surveyed and the variability within it. This is of
importance in determining an efficient sample
design.

6. • A pilot study shows whether the available
sampling frame from which sampling is to be
drawn is adequate, complete accurate, up to data
and convenient.
• It provides data on the relative suitability of
alternative methods of collection of data –
observation, mailing, interviewing – their relative
cost, accuracy and response rates to make a
sensible choice.
• It shows the adequacy of the tool for data
collection.
• It also helps in discovering mechanical problems
relating to interviews/ mailing.
• It assists in developing better approaches to target
population – as regards introduction, rapport etc

7. • It provides information for structuring questions
with alternative answers.
• It helps the researcher to develop an appropriate
plan of analysis.
• It enables the researcher to identify field problems
to be encountered and suggests remedial
approaches.
• It provides information for estimating the
probable cost and duration of the main study and
of its various stages.
• Above all, it helps the researcher to determine
whether or not a more substantial study is
warranted. In the light of the results of the pilot
study, the researcher will be able to take a
pragmatic view on the main study’s potentialities
and feasibility.

8. ADVANTAGES OF PILOT STUDY
• It tells about the completeness, accuracy, and
convenience of the sampling frame from which it
is proposed to select the sample
• It unfolds the variability (with regard to the
subject under investigation) within the
population to the surveyed/studies. this of
importance in determining the size of the sample.
• It helps in bringing out the inadequacies of the
draft questionnaire it throws light on several
difficulties.
• It shows how effective the training has been in
ridding the interviewers of their prejudices and in
motivating them, what are the deficiencies of
training curricula, staff incentives etc

9. • It helps in distinguishing the serious type of
interviewers from the cheat.
• It also helps in finding out the type of person
most liking to be a good interviewer. It allays
fears about overtly sensitive questions and
builds their self confidence.
• They learn to respect the local culture.
• It tests interviewers stamina to work under
condition, of personal discomfort, stress and
fatigue.
• It test the efficiency of the survey organization
in the field, including type of supervision and
instructions.

10. • It helps in identify the need for different kinds of
equipment and vehicles, which are necessary
during project
• It provides data for making estimates of time and
costs for completing various phases of the project
and shows way to effect saving.
A pilot study is the whole study operation in
miniature. It is a careful empirical checking of all
phase of the study from the collection of data to
their tabulation and analysis. In testing the
directions of hypothesized relationships, the pilot
study should be submitted to the same type of
data analysis as expected for the main study

12. PRETEST PROCEDURE
 Pilot study is a full – fledged miniature study of
a problem, pretest is a trial test of a specific
aspect of the study such as method of data
collection or data collection instrument –
interview schedule, mailed questionnaire of
measurement scale.
 A broad guideline is suggested below for
pretesting of an instrument.

13.  The first testing of a draft instrument can be done
among one’s colleagues in order to find out its
shortcomings.
 After this “in house” testing, it should be revised
and tested in field.
• The instrument may be administrated to 15 to 20
sample respondent drawn from the universe
relating to the planned survey.
DEFINITION
• Pretesting is the process of measuring the
effectiveness of the instrument used to gather
data. After the research tool is completed it must
be tested on subjects who meet the criterion for
the study ample. This is called pre-testing.

14. PURPOSES:
• To test whether the instrument would elicit
responses required to achieve the research
objectives.
• To test whether the content of the instrument is
relevant and adequate
• To test whether wording of questions is clear and
suited to the understanding of the respondent
• To test other qualitative aspect of the instrument
like question structure and question sequence
• To develop appropriate procedure for
administering the instrument with reference to
field condition.

15. EVALUATION OF PROTECT RESPONSES
• These researcher should look for signs or
indicators of weaknesses. As pointed by Goode
and Hatt, the signs may include:
• Lack of order in the answer which may caused
by a poor conceptualization.
• “All-or- none” responses i.e questions eliciting
mere stereotype responses
• A high proportion of “don’t know” or “don’t
understand” answers, which indicate that the
question are improperly drawn or vague or bad
sampling design has been used

16. • A great number of qualification or irrelevant
comments, indicating the inadequate listening
of alternative answers
• A high proportion of refusals to answer
indicating out of context of the question or
poor transition from one subject area to
another
• Inconsistencies in answers
• Problems discovered