The importance of pilot studies, how to write them and what they mean

Vogel, Steven; Draper-Rodi, Jerry

doi:10.1016/j.ijosm.2017.02.001

Cited by 22 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The feasibility study is used to assess the practicalities of the main study in respect of its implementation and utility and often includes an assessment of resources, such as time and costs, for the main study (Gudmundsdottir & Brock-Utne, 2010). In medicine, several types of feasibility studies exist according to Vogel and Draper-Rodi (2017), and they are often connected to the use of randomized control trials as main studies. The pilot study reported in this article may be viewed as a combination of the two types that van Teijlingen and Hundley (2001) propose but within a research project based on case study research where the collection of qualitative data is the main objective.…”

Section: Different Types Of Pilot Studies and Their Purposesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conducting the Pilot Study: A Neglected Part of the Research Process? Methodological Findings Supporting the Importance of Piloting in Qualitative Research Studies

Malmqvist

Hellberg

Möllås

et al. 2019

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

161

107

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During the development of research to compare the processes and impact of inclusive education in Sweden with results obtained from a study undertaken in Ireland, a pilot study was conducted and documented. The pilot study had three aims: (1) to gather data to provide guidance for a substantive study adapted to Swedish conditions through modification of Irish research procedures and instruments, (2) to critically interrogate how we as researchers could most effectively conduct a pilot study utilizing observational and video-recorded data, and (3) to use the Irish theoretical model as a tool of analysis for studying inclusion in two Swedish schools. Although pilot studies are frequently conducted to assess the efficacy of research instruments for use in qualitative research projects, few publications have drawn upon empirical findings related to such studies. Additionally, while methodological texts recommend the use of pilot studies in qualitative research, there is a lack of reported research focusing on how to conduct such pilot studies. We argue that our methodological findings may contribute to greater awareness of the important role that a pilot study may have for full-scale qualitative research projects, for example, in case study research where semi-structured qualitative interviews are used. This argument is based on the assumption that researchers, and especially novice researchers, having conducted a pilot study will be better informed and prepared to face the challenges that are likely to arise in the substantive study and more confident in the instruments to be used for data collection. A proper analysis of the procedures and results from the pilot study facilitates the identification of weaknesses that may be addressed. A carefully organized and managed pilot study has the potential to increase the quality of the research as results from such studies can inform subsequent parts of the research process.

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Section: Different Types Of Pilot Studies and Their Purposesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conducting the Pilot Study: A Neglected Part of the Research Process? Methodological Findings Supporting the Importance of Piloting in Qualitative Research Studies

Malmqvist

Hellberg

Möllås

et al. 2019

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

161

107

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“…The results for CMT showed that manual therapy in the form of practitioner-led stretching had moderate favourable evidence for increasing range of movement and there was low quality inconclusive evidence to support SMT in addition to physiotherapy. Caution is required when interpreting the evidence for manual therapy for CMT as it only relies on one underpowered pilot study with methods that were inappropriate to assess effectiveness [28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effectiveness and safety of conservative interventions for positional plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis: a synthesis of systematic reviews and guidance

2020

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Aim: To investigate for congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) and positional plagiocephaly (PP) the effectiveness and safety of manual therapy, repositioning and helmet therapy (PP only) using a systematic review of systematic reviews and national guidelines. Methods: We searched four major relevant databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and MANTIS for research studies published between the period 1999-2019. Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews that analysed results from multiple studies and guidelines that used evidence and expert opinion to recommend treatment and care approaches. Three reviewers independently selected articles by title, abstract and full paper review, and extracted data. Selected studies were described by two authors and assessed for quality. Where possible meta-analysed data for change in outcomes (range of movement and head shape) were extracted and qualitative conclusions were assessed. Results: We found 10 systematic reviews for PP and 4 for CMT. One national guideline was found for each PP and CMT. For PP, manual therapy was found to be more effective than repositioning including tummy time (moderate to high evidence) but not better than helmet therapy (low evidence). Helmet therapy was better than usual care or repositioning (low evidence); and repositioning better than usual care (moderate to high evidence). The results for CMT showed that manual therapy in the form of practitioner-led stretching had moderate favourable evidence for increased range of movement. Advice, guidance and parental support was recommended in all the guidance to reassure parents of the favourable trajectory and nature of these conditions over time.

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“…A one-group pretest–posttest design was used. This design is appropriate for pilot studies or Phase II trials (Moore, Carter, Nietert, & Stewart 2011; Sidani & Braden, 2011; Vogel & Draper-Rodi, 2017), with a particular focus on evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of the intervention implementation as well as changes in outcome following the intervention. The outcome was assessed once before (i.e., at the beginning of the first intervention session) and once after (i.e., at the end of the last intervention session) the implementation of the intervention.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dance Intervention for Mexican Family Caregivers of Children With Developmental Disability: A Pilot Study

et al. 2019

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Introduction: There are 7.1 million people living with a disability in Mexico. Of these individuals, 7% are children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. Mexican women caring for children with a developmental disability are at risk of psychological stress, which may be prevented with physical activity such as dance. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to examine (a) the feasibility of implementing the dance intervention, (b) the mothers’ satisfaction with the intervention, and (c) the changes in stress level experienced by the mothers on completion of the intervention. Method: A one-group pretest–posttest design was used. The Salsa dance intervention was given in nine 60-minute sessions, twice a week in Veracruz, Mexico. The sample included 14 mothers of children with disabilities. The outcome, stress level, was measured with the validated Questionnaire of Perceived Stress. Feasibility of intervention implementation was maintained by having the interventionist follow the interventionist manual. Satisfaction was assessed by the Satisfaction with Therapy and Therapist Scale. Results: The intervention was feasible as all participants completed the intervention sessions. They reported high satisfaction (100%) with the intervention and interventionist. At posttest, participants showed reduced stress levels ( p = .028). Discussion: The dance intervention is promising in reducing women’s stress levels and worth further development in order to benefit the Mexican women caring for children with developmental disability and experiencing stress. Nurses can implement the Salsa dance intervention with the Mexican population while improving the clients’ retention, outcomes, and overall satisfaction.

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The importance of pilot studies, how to write them and what they mean

Cited by 22 publications

References 20 publications

Conducting the Pilot Study: A Neglected Part of the Research Process? Methodological Findings Supporting the Importance of Piloting in Qualitative Research Studies

Conducting the Pilot Study: A Neglected Part of the Research Process? Methodological Findings Supporting the Importance of Piloting in Qualitative Research Studies

The effectiveness and safety of conservative interventions for positional plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis: a synthesis of systematic reviews and guidance

Dance Intervention for Mexican Family Caregivers of Children With Developmental Disability: A Pilot Study

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