What is the primary purpose of conducting a pilot study?

The primary purpose of conducting a pilot study is to test the feasibility, time, cost, and adverse events involved in a larger-scale research project. This preliminary phase allows researchers to identify any potential issues that might arise during the main study before fully committing resources. By running a smaller version of the study, researchers can assess the practicality of their methods, refine the study design, and determine whether the procedures will work as intended in the full-scale investigation.

This testing phase is critical because it helps in clarifying study protocols, estimating the time required for recruitment and data collection, and predicting the costs involved. Additionally, pilot studies can reveal unforeseen problems, such as difficulties with participant compliance or the occurrence of adverse events, which are essential to address ahead of the main study.