Pilot study: a tentative analysis of the concept

An attempt is made to define a pilot study as a preparatory sociological research of a special character, having in view the principal research in which questionnaire interviews are used. Explication of the concept of a pilot study is done by pointing to the subject of a pilot study as well as to special problems formulated with respect to that subject. A set of questions addressed to respondents and a set of ways these questions are used by interviewers in interviews — are considered to constitute the subject of a pilot study. As special problems of a pilot study have been accepted those relating to the correctness of questions addressed to respondents as well as of the ways these questions are used in an interview. On this basis a pilot study is distinguished from other preparatory studies such as a „reconnaissance” study and a „trial” study. Construed in this way the meaning of the term „pilot study” would be closest to the concept of pretest. All three types of studies can be treated as three consecutive phases preceding a questionnaire-based research