Pre-testing and Pilot study

Pre-testing: is a small-scale trial or testing of a

particular research component,e.g a research
tool or a questionnaire.
Pilot study: is the process of carrying out a
preliminary study or testing the whole
methodology of the study- going through the
entire research procedure with a small sample.
 Pre-testing and Pilot Study
Why do we carry out a pretest or pilot
study?
-To identify potential problems in the proposed
study.
-To revise the methods and logistics of data
collection before starting the actual fieldwork.
A pretest is simpler and less time consuming
and costly than conducting an entire pilot study.
Most studies prefer a pre-testing than pilot
study.
 Pre-testing the Methodology
What aspects of research methodology can be
evaluated during pre-testing?
1. Reactions of the respondents to the research
procedures can be observed in the pretest to
determine:
• Availability of the study population
• Acceptability of the methods used to
establish contact with the study population
• Acceptability of questions and willingness to
respond or answer to questions.
 Pre-testing
2. Data –collection tools can be pre-tested to
determine:
• whether tools allow to collect reliable
information and suitable for analysis
•Time spent for collecting information
•Whether there is need to revise the format or
presentation of questionnaires in relation to:
-logical sequence of questions
-Clear wording of questions
-Translations are accurate, and
-Space for answers is sufficient.
 Pre-testing
-need for pre-categorization and adjustment for
the coding system
-Need for additional instructions
3. Determine sampling procedures and activities
of research assistants
When do we carry out a pretest?
•It can conducted during the workshop or before
the main study to allow alterations to be made on
the tools.