Pilot studies and narrative based research Dr Samantha Triggs

Pilot Studies  A pilot study is a small scale preliminary study used to check the feasibility of the research, to evaluate the study design or test a hypothesis.  It is conducted before the main research.  It is used on members of the relevant population, but not those who will ultimately form part of the final sample  It is often used before large scale quantitative research.  It tests the method and can identify any potential issues before the full scale study takes place..

Narrative-based research  This is a form of qualitative research.  It looks at patient stories, focussing on what is said but also how it is narrated.  Narrative methods give the individual subject the chance to present their story, their influences and how they coped with these experiences during their life.  Narrative methods are chosen by researchers who are interested in people’s life experiences and the stories told by and told about these individuals