A pilot study is a small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate feasibility and improve a proposed research design prior to a full-scale research project. It helps determine if the research protocol is realistic and workable, identify any problems with the research design or instruments, and refine data collection and analysis plans. The primary objective of a pilot study is to identify potential problems that may be encountered in larger research projects in order to minimize errors in the full study.

1. PILOT STUDY BY: MRS. PRECILLA C.
STEPHEN

2. INTRODUCTION
Assessing the possibility of doing a study is essential before the actual
project to avoid unnecessary wastage of resources.

3. DEFINITON
A pilot study is a small replica of the main study.
A small scale version, or a trial run, done in preparation of a major
study.

4. REASONS FOR CONDUCTING PILOT
STUDY
Determine whether the proposed study is feasible
Design a research protocol
Assess whether the research protocol is realistic and workable
Identify problems with the research design
Develop and test adequacy of research instruments
Refine data collection and analysis plan
Make improvements in the research project

5. OBJECTIVE OF PILOT STUDY
The primary objective of pilot study is to identify problems, that may
be encountered during large research projects and thus pilot study
provides an opportunity to try out procedures for completing the
study with minimal errors possible.

6. PROCEDURES
The subject of pilot study should not be included for the main study.
The sample to be included in the pilot study should be large enough
to represent the sample of the main study.
The information discussed during the pilot study should be kept
confidential.
The purpose and hypothesis of the study should also be kept
confidential because any publication in this regard may bias the
major study. Pretesting of the instrument is done during the pilot
study.
Pretesting or preliminary testing is the process of measuring the
ffectiveness of the instruments used to gather data.

7. TO IMPROVE THE INTERNAL
VALIDITY