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A pilot study, also called a 'pilot experiment', is a small scale preliminary study conducted before the main research in order to check the feasibility or to improve the design of the research. Pilot studies are therefore not appropriate for case studies. They are frequently carried out before large-scale quantitative research in an attempt to avoid time and money being wasted on an inadequately designed project. 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. This is because it may influence the later behavior of research subjects if they have already been involved in the research.^[1]

A pilot is often used to test the design of the full-scale experiment. The design can then be adjusted in time. This can turn out to be valuable: should anything be missing in the pilot, it can be added to the experiment and chances are, that the full-scale (and more expensive) experiment will not have to be re-done.

Often in engineering applications, pilot experiments are used to sell the product, and provide quantitative proof that the system has potential to succeed on the larger (full) scale. Pilot experiments are also used to reduce cost, as they are much less expensive than the full experiment. If there is not enough reason to provide full scale applications, pilots can generally provide this proof.

In sociology, pilot studies can be referred to as small-scale researches before the main research is done. This will prevent errors from happening in the main research.

[edit] References

• M. Haralambos and M. Holborn (2000)"Sociology: Themes and Perspectives". Hammersmith, London: HarperCollins Publishers.

[edit] See also

• Prototype
• Prototyping
• Mass production
• Mock-up
• Pilot plant