pilot study

Consumer-research study done on a trial basis to determine the potential of a larger and more in-depth survey of the same subject matter; also called pilot survey. A pilot study is used in segmentation product usage, and attitudinal, motivational, and other types of market research studies. For example, a market researcher may conduct a pilot study on a sample of 500 mothers to determine their attitudes about a certain type of diaper. If the study results show that the mothers responded favorably to the new brand, another study may be conducted with a larger sample size to determine other factors, such as diaper usage.

A pilot study is a small-scale methodological test intended to ensure that proposed methods and procedures will work in practice before being applied in a large, expensive investigation. Pilot studies provide an opportunity to make adjustments and revisions before investing in, and incurring, the heavy costs associated with a large study.

— JOHN M. LAST