Some journals use pilot study and some pretest. While they may be distinct according to one textbook, the definition of a pilot study in a book seems to be similar to that of pretest in a journal. Apparently both are used to assist in design of the main study, including checking if the procedures will actually work as intended. Please enlighten.
I think "pretest" is the term used for the methods including the questionnaires use for the study. Pilot study usually used as initial step if well then well calculated sample size will be conducted thereafter.
Hi Hiram,
In social science research context, pilot study is deployed before the actual study to solicit feedback from a small number of respondents (normally convenient sample) in terms of understanding of the survey instrument / questionnaire's wording & measurement, evaluate any ambiguity in the questions and the questionnaire's reliability. The objective of the pilot study is to obtain additional information so that the researcher can further improve the survey questionnaire before the actual study.
Literally, pretest normally being used in conjunction with quantitative experimental study whereby experimental or / and control groups might be given a pretest before exposing to a treatment / experiment. These 2 groups are also given a posttest to measure the effects of the treatment.
Some scholars treated "pilot study" and "pretest" distinctly as per above definitions. However, some scholars, books, journal articles and conference proceedings use these 2 terms "pilot study" and "pretest" interchangeably referring to the same meaning i.e. a smaller scale study before the actual study. Suggesting when we see these terms being used, we need to read further for any explanation on which definition they are referring to. All the best.
Regards,
Fung
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