Question

What is a pilot study and a pretest? Why they are important before finalizing a questionnaire?

Answer 1

Pretest and pilot study are important tool used to finalise a questionnaire in a research study, or survey. Pretest and pilot study are often used as one and the same. But, pretest involves testing of a particular component of entire survey questionnaire. Pilot study involves testing the entire survey questionnaire on a smaller sample size.

Pretest or pilot study helps to validate the questions selected for asking the respondents through a questionnaire. They are very important in any survey or research work, because, they provide good input to make necessary changes in the questions, their order/Sequence influencing the answers, removing some questions that are not relevant, understanding the group of respondents, and validating each question's truthfulness.

With these inputs, a researcher or questionnaire developer can take necessary measures to make the questionnaire more appropriate and appealing, that will help in obtaining true as well as credible data for further processing.

(Note: please like the answer it will encourage me. DO comment if any correction required before disliking.)