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Pilot Studies

FoundationHigherAQAEdexcel

Understand Pilot Studies for GCSE Statistics with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA and Edexcel. A pilot study is a small-scale trial run used to test and improve a data-collection method before the main study.

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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA and Edexcel specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.

Foundation

WorksheetFoundation · PDFMark SchemeFoundation · PDF

Higher

WorksheetHigher · PDFMark SchemeHigher · PDF

Topic overview

A pilot study is a small-scale trial run of an investigation, carried out before the main data collection begins.

Its purpose is to identify problems with the method while they can still be fixed cheaply. It can reveal ambiguous or leading questions in a questionnaire, check that the data collection sheet works, estimate how long the survey takes, and give an idea of the variability in the data so a suitable sample size can be chosen.

The key advantage is that problems are found before time and money are spent on the full investigation. The disadvantage is that the pilot itself takes time and resources, and because it uses a small sample it may not reveal every problem.

Revision notes

What a pilot study is

A small-scale trial run of the investigation, carried out before the main data collection.

It uses the same method as the planned investigation but on a much smaller sample.

What it reveals

Ambiguous, leading or biased questions in a questionnaire.

Whether the data collection sheet works in practice. How long the survey takes to complete. The variability in the data, which helps decide a suitable sample size.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantage: problems are identified and corrected before time and money are spent on the full investigation.

Disadvantage: the pilot itself costs time and resources, and because the sample is small it may not reveal every problem.

Key points

  • A pilot study is a small-scale trial run.
  • It is carried out before the main investigation.
  • It identifies problems with the questions or method.
  • It helps estimate a suitable sample size.
  • It saves time and money overall.
  • It may not reveal every problem.

Worked examples

Example 1

State what is meant by a pilot study. [1 mark]

Working

A small-scale trial run of the investigation carried out before the main data collectiondefine the term

Example 2

Give two things a pilot study can reveal about a questionnaire. [2 marks]

Working

Whether any questions are ambiguous or leadinggive the first
How long the questionnaire takes to completegive the second

Example 3

Give one disadvantage of carrying out a pilot study. [1 mark]

Working

It takes additional time and resources before the main investigation beginsstate a drawback

Common mistakes

  • Saying a pilot study replaces the main investigation.

    It is a trial run carried out before it, not instead of it.

  • Saying a pilot study finds all problems.

    Its small sample means some problems may still go unnoticed.

  • Giving only advantages.

    Evaluation questions usually want a disadvantage as well.

  • Confusing a pilot study with a sample.

    A pilot tests the method; a sample provides the actual data.

Exam tips

  • Define a pilot study as a small-scale trial run.
  • Learn several things it can reveal.
  • Give a disadvantage when evaluating.
  • Link it to choosing a suitable sample size.

Key terms

Pilot study
A small-scale trial run of an investigation.
Ambiguous
Having more than one possible meaning.
Leading question
A question that pushes the respondent towards an answer.
Variability
How spread out the data values are.

Related topics

Written and reviewed against the current AQA and Edexcel specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.