A pilot study is often used to assess the validity and reliability of a research instrument, but may also be used to assess variations in responses, response rates and completeness of responses, or to perform factor analyses. Pilot studies are commonly used in quantitative research.

Your mentor and committee will be able to advise you on whether you need to conduct a pilot study. Additionally, during the approval process of your research plan (aka Scientific Merit Review), you may be informed by the school reviewer or committee members that your study will require a pilot.

Note that you must have IRB approval prior to conducting a pilot study as a pilot study use participants who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the study.