Pilot studies 6 and single/double blind procedures 7

What is a pilot study?

Small scale version of an investigation which is done before the real investigation is undertaken. Allows potential problems of study to be identified and the procedure to be modified to deal with these.

Allows money and time to be saved in long run.

Single-blind procedure

Researches don’t tell the participants if they are being given a test treatment or a control treatment. Ensure no P bias, avoids demand characteristics.

Double-blind procedure

Neither P’s nor experimenter knows who is receiving particular treatment. Used to prevent bias in research results.

Control group

Can compare results from experimental condition with this. If significant difference researcher can conclude the cause of effect of was the IV.