Tervashonka, Ari
How to conduct pilot study in qualitative research – and why it matters?
A pilot study is typically conducted as preliminary research before larger quantitative research is conducted. It has innumerable pedagogical and methodological benefits for entire project, and it can also help establishing first foundation for planning the entire project. Qualitative research does not very often use pilot study not even in larger research projects and it's lacking the benefits that making of pilot study would yield to it.
This problem also can be seen by viewing different models on how to conduct pilot studies. According to research literature on the topic there is grave research gap in details for any qualitative pilot study and practical enough model to fill all the detail requirements for qualitative studies. A lot of models exist but none of the models quite have it in terms of qualitative methodological demands. This can be also seen from comments and recommendations made by studies discussing this topic.
Therefore the main objective of this study is to establish qualitative and mixed method model on how to conduct a pilot study with necessary level of details for practical general scientific uses. Approach on this model building has been to make general scientific model without limiting it on any field of study particularly.
Creation of model and analysis of the situation and scientific reports, discussions and articles have been conducted by using systematic analysis as a qualitative method and systematic thinking.
The analysis revealed stated research cap but also hinted some of the necessary factors that were taken into consideration while building pilot study model. The model itself with all its details and parts utilize any researcher to conduct qualitative or mixed method pilot study with confidence with the aid of two explanatory chapters including form and practical ways on how to write and structure a pilot study and what to consider for analysis in pilot study.
Implications of the findings, model and guidelines give good standing to raise awareness that yes, qualitative or mixed method pilot study not only be made, but it can also benefit as much if not even more in complex subject author of pilot study. Therefore this article can be used as guideline in any qualitative or mixed method research without field of study limitations.
Key words: pilot study, qualitative pilot study, mixed method pilot study, complex studies, holistic research, pilot study methodology, quantitative pilot study model, general scientific model, qualitative pilot study guideline
Cite: Tervashonka, Ari J. 2025. Guideline for qualitative pilot study. Holistic Science Publications, Holistic Archive, ISSN 2984-2263, Finland, 47-62.