Pilot studies + single/double-blind procedures

What is a pilot study?

a small-scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted

What is the aim of a pilot study?

to check that procedures and materials work and to allow the researcher to make changes if necessary, saving time and money in the long-run

How can pilot studies be used to improve research using questionnaires or interviews?

it is helpful to try out questions in advance and remove or reword questions that are ambiguous or confusing

How can pilot studies be used to improve research using observations?

it provides a way of checking coding systems (i.e tally chart) before the real investigation is undertaken. This can be an important part of training observers

What is a single-blind procedure?

a type of research design in which participant is not aware of research aims and/or of which condition of the experiment they are recieveing

What is the aim of a single-blind procedure?

it attempts to control demand characteristics

What is a double-blind procedure?

when neither the participant nor researcher conducting the study are aware of the research aims or other important details of the study, and thus have no expectations that might alter a participant’s behaviour

Who helps conduct a double-blind procedure?

a third party researcher

How are double-blind procedures important in drug trials?

treatment is administered by someone who does not know which drugs are real and which are placebos