Designing a pilot study involves several critical steps:
1. Define Objectives: Clearly state what you wish to achieve. This could range from testing recruitment strategies to evaluating data collection tools. 2. Develop a Protocol: Draft a detailed plan that outlines the study's aim, methodology, sample size, and data analysis techniques. 3. Select a Representative Sample: Choose a sample that is representative of the larger population to ensure that the findings are generalizable. 4. Ethical Approval: Obtain ethical clearance from relevant bodies to ensure the study meets ethical standards.