noun phrase · academic
pilot study
/ˈpaɪlət ˈstʌdi/PI·lot STU·dy
a small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate feasibility, time, cost, and methods
Examples
“They ran a pilot study to test the questionnaire before the full survey.”
“A pilot study can reveal practical problems in data collection.”
“Results from the pilot study helped refine the main study's procedures.”
Band 8 sentence
“We implemented a pilot study to identify flaws in the survey design and adjust sampling procedures accordingly.”
Collocations
- conduct a pilot study
- pilot study results
- run a pilot study
Word family
Common mistakes
small study→pilot study
pilot test→pilot study
Say it for a higher band
5small study→6trial study→7+pilot study
Synonyms
feasibility study
Easily confused
feasibility study
“Before launching the project they conducted a feasibility study to assess costs.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Science & Research
Learn it with its set