Pilot study feasibility check – UGC NET Question

A pilot study is a trial run conducted with a small sample resembling the target population to check whether research procedures, tools and logistics work as intended. It helps identify ambiguities in questions, timing issues, recruitment difficulties and other practical problems. Findings from the pilot are used to refine instruments and plans before launching the full-scale study. Thus, the small-scale preliminary study described in the stem is correctly called a pilot study.

Option A:
Pilot studies often reveal unexpected challenges, such as low response rates or confusing instructions, allowing researchers to make adjustments that improve data quality in the main study. This testing of feasibility and procedures matches the stem, making this option correct.

Option B:
Experimental studies are full-scale investigations that manipulate variables to test hypotheses rather than small preliminary tests of feasibility. They come after methods have been refined.

Option C:
Correlational studies examine relationships among variables without manipulating them and are not defined by being preliminary trials, so they do not fit the stem.

Option D:
Evaluative studies assess the effectiveness or value of programmes or interventions and are usually full studies in their own right, not preparatory tests before another major investigation.