What is the purpose of conducting a pilot study?

Conducting a pilot study primarily serves the purpose of testing the research design and data collection processes. This preliminary study allows researchers to identify potential issues in their methodology, assess the feasibility of the study procedures, and refine instruments that will be used in the main research. By piloting the study, researchers can observe how variables interact and ensure that the data collection methods work effectively in practice.

This testing phase is crucial because it provides insights into the practicality of the research design and helps highlight any unanticipated challenges that could arise during the larger study. Ultimately, the pilot study enhances the validity and reliability of the main research by allowing researchers to make necessary adjustments before the full-scale implementation.