Page 1 : 292 9. TOOLS AND METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION, , Ensuri jateness of methods and procedures of.data-eollection,, Understanding the study variables and other confounding variables., , Estimating the actual time and potential problems researcher may encounter duting, actual large research study. B the, , Refining the study methodology., Planning for the data analysis and-interpretation of the final larger research., , Developing and testing sufficiency of research instruments., , Assessing the practicality of a full-scale study /survey., , Assessing whether the research protocol is practicable and workable., , Establishing if the technique and sampling frame are effective., , Assessing the probable success of proposed study subject recruitment approaches, Logistical problems identification by using proposed methods., , Estimating variability in outcomes to help in determining sample size., , Preliminary data collection., , Determining the resources (e.g. finance, staff) required for a planned study., Assessing the proposed data analysis techniques for potential problems., , Developing a research plan and research question., , Training a researcher in various elements of the research process., , Convincing funding bodies that the research team is knowledgeable and competent, Convincing funding bodies that the main study is worth funding and feasible, Convincing other institutes and stakeholders that the main study is worth supporting, Pilot study results can guide in the designing and implementation of larger scale effic, ies. There are several aspects of randomized control trial (RCT) feasibility that are ir, conducting a pilot study. A pilot study can be used to evaluate the feasibility of recrui, randomization, retention, assessment procedures, and implementation of the novel, tion, and each of these can be quantified. Study components that are deemed inf., unsatisfactory should be modified in the subsequent trial or are removed altogether., , , , , , , , , Problems and Issues of Pilot Study, , It should be recognized that the pilot studies may also have a number of problems, issues, and limitations. Following are some of the significant problems or issues of pilot study, Ww", a researcher may consider while carrying out the pilot study:, , , , ¢ It may bea possibility that the researcher may make inaccurate predictions or assum, on the basis of pilot data, specifically when the data of pilot study is used for est, the sample size. Thus it is always suggested that it is better to use the findings of prev, full-scale similar study conducted for estimating a sample size rather than using the data, from a pilot study for sample size estimation., , ¢ Contamination is another concern. This may arise in two Ways: (1) where pilot pat, pants are included in the main study, but new data are collected from these people f, (2) where data from the pilot study are included in the main results. To avoid the risk ©, contamination, the following is considered:, ¢ The data collected during pilot study are not included in analysis of main study oer, , The other reason that the pilot study data is not included in main study data analy*, , , , tici, and