What Pilot Studies Are and Why They Matter

A pilot study is a preliminary small-scale study that researchers conduct in order to help them decide how best to conduct a large-scale research project. Using a pilot study, a researcher can identify or refine a research question, figure out what methods are best for pursuing it, and estimate how much time and resources will be necessary to complete the larger version, among other things. Key Takeaways: Pilot Studies Before running a larger study, researchers can conduct a pilot study: a small-scale study that helps them refine their research topic and study methods.Pilot studies can be useful for determining the best research methods to use, troubleshooting unforeseen issues in the project, and determining whether a research project is feasible.Pilot studies can be used in both quantitative and qualitative social science research. Overview Large-scale research projects tend to be complex, take a lot of time to design and execute, and typically require quite a bit of funding. Conducting a pilot study beforehand allows a researcher to design and execute a large-scale project in as methodologically rigorous a way as possible, and can save time and costs by reducing the risk of errors or problems. For these reasons, pilot studies are used by both quantitative and qualitative researchers in the social sciences. Advantages of Conducting a Pilot Study Pilot studies are useful for a number of reasons, including: Identifying or refining a research question or set of questionsIdentifying or refining a hypothesis or set of hypothesesIdentifying and evaluating a sample population, research field site, or data setTesting research instruments like survey questionnaires, interview, discussion guides, or statistical formulasEvaluating and deciding upon research methodsIdentifying and resolving as many potential problems or issues as possibleEstimating the time and costs required for the projectGauging whether the research goals and design are realisticProducing preliminary results that can help secure funding and other forms of institutional investment After conducting a pilot study and taking the steps listed above, a researcher will know what to do in order to proceed in a way that will make the study a success.   Example: Quantitative Survey Research Say you want to conduct a large-scale quantitative research project using survey data to study the relationship between race and political party affiliation. To best design and execute this research, you would first want to select a data set to use, such as the General Social Survey, for example, download one of their data sets, and then use a statistical analysis program to examine this relationship. In the process of analyzing the relationship, you are likely to realize the importance of other variables that may have an impact on political party affiliation. For example, place of residence, age, education level, socioeconomic status, and gender may impact party affiliation (either on their own or in interaction with race). You might also realize that the data set you chose does not offer you all the information that you need to best answer this question, so you might choose to use another data set, or combine another with the original that you selected. Going through this pilot stu dy process will allow you to work out the kinks in your research design and then execute high-quality research. Example: Qualitative Interview Studies Pilot studies can also be useful for qualitative research studies, such as interview-based studies. For example, imagine that a researcher is interested in studying the relationship that Apple consumers have to the companys brand and products. The researcher might choose to first do a pilot study consisting of a couple of focus groups in order to identify questions and thematic areas that would be useful to pursue in-depth, one-on-one interviews. A focus group can be useful to this kind of study because while a researcher will have a notion of what questions to ask and topics to raise, she may find that other topics and questions arise when members of the target group talk among themselves. After a focus group pilot study, the researcher will have a better idea of how to craft an effective interview guide for a larger research project.

A Report on Politics of the 1990s Persian Gulf War

News Event Persian Gulf War On August 2, 1990, Iraq leader Saddam Hussein ordered the invason of the neighboring country kuwait. The reason for this invasion was to steal the rich oil that was in the land. During this invasion President George H. W. Bush declared that the war in Kuwait will not stand. A day after the declaration, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia met with U.S. Defense Secretary Richard Cheney to request military assistance. Saudi Arabia, japan, and other wealthy allies would be funded $60 billion for there losses and damages. August 8, 1990 U.S. air force fighters were in Saudi Arabia. By 1991 the United States alone had 50,000 troops. On February 26, 1991 Saddam ordered the withdrawal from Kuwait. About 10,00 retreating troops were killed when Caoliton aircraft bombed their stolen military vehicles. Finally, George H. W. Bush announced to ceased fire and that Kuwait had been free from Iraq occupation. Famous People Bill Clinton Bill Clinton was born on August 19, 1946 in Hope, Arkansas. He graduated from Geargetown and got a degree in law. After getting his degree in law, Bill went back to Arkansas to teach law at the Unviversity of Arkansas. In 1974 he campaigned for congress but was not elected. 2 years later he was elected Arkansas Attorney General. In 1975 Bill married Hillary Rodham who he met during law school and 5 years later they had their only child Chelsea. Bill lost the reelection in 1980 but regained the governship two years later andShow MoreRelatedThe Connection between 9/11 and the Need for Foreign Oil Essay examples1227 Words   |  5 Pagesremembered. It was a day in history where time it seemed stood still, and one that became a moment of pronounced transformation. 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Death Of A Salesman Essay Help Example For Students

Death Of A Salesman Essay Help Analysis of Death of a SalesmanThe tragedy of a familyThe play Death of a Salesman was written by Arthur Miller in 1949. He was born on October 17, 1915 in New York City. Most of Millers works emphasizes the common man struggling through the misconceptions and false illusions that modern society imposes. In the case of Death of a Salesman, Miller uses social realism, which is the attempt to describe human behavior and surroundings or to represent figures and objects exactly as they act or appear in life (Encarta 1). The main themes of this play are the idea of the American dream and what it takes to success, the struggle to distinguish between reality and illusion, and the emotional problems of the family. Death of a Salesman is the story of the Loman family, especially Willy, trying to accomplish the American dream, but with no success. Willy Loman is married to Linda, and his two sons are Biff and Happy. Other characters as Ben, Charley, Bernard, and the women in the hotel play a major role in Willys downfall through the story. Willy has always wanted to be successful and well-liked among people, but he has not accomplished anything. Miller presents a common man, Willy, as the tragic character of the play. In an article Miller states, I think the tragic feeling is evoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing his sense of personal dignity (Miller, 1). In this article Miller clearly conveys that a person will sacrifice anything, even his or her own life, to protect his or her dignity. In Death of a Salesman Willy is willing to sacrifice anything to accomplish his dreams of being successful and known as a powe rful salesman. The play starts with Willy returning home from a sales trip. He is getting old and tired of traveling long distances. His two sons, Biff and Happy, are visiting the family. Willy tells Linda he does not know why Biff is lost, without a job, and no money. Willy expects his two sons, especially Biff, to become successful, but he has not realized that even his two sons are incapable of succeed. Willy has immersed himself into a world of illusions. He is always tormented with the hopes and dreams he had years ago. Throughout the play Willy has flashbacks of his life, which are somehow related to the present events. Biff and Happy discuss in their bedroom about how Willy is becoming senile in his old age. Willy is in the kitchen remembering how Biff used to be popular in high school and the superstar of the football team. Willy has the wrong ideas about life. He believes that all it takes to be successful in life is to be well liked. He tells his sons, Be liked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. Willy Loman is here! Thats all they have to know, and I go through (DiYanni, 1142). In a sense, Willy is lying to his sons and to himself. He thinks he is well-liked, but in reality he is not. Another influence in Willys downfall through the play is the presence of his brother Ben in his dreams. Ben tells Willy that he became rich when he went to Africa and found a mine of diamonds. One might think Ben is not real, yet to Willy, Ben is very real. Ben is another driving force behind Willys idea of success. As the play continuous, Willy becomes more involved in his dreams. He also remembered when Biff caught him with another women in a hotel during a business trip. Although Biff does not like what his father did, he feels sorry for him. .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 , .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .postImageUrl , .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 , .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5:hover , .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5:visited , .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5:active { border:0!important; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5:active , .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5 .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue5e26db11c3124e4e459b5027d2505d5:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Born Of Different Cultrues EssayWilly lives a life filled with false hopes. Biff and Happy tell him that they are going to talk with Bill Oliver, Biffs previous employer, to start a sporting good business. The next day, the Loman Family goes to the Franks Chop House where Biff and Happy invited Willy and Linda. In the restaurant Willy finds out that his two sons did not talk to Bill about the new business and when Willy goes to the bathroom Biff and Happy leave the restaurant with a couple of women. After returning home, Willy is upset and ready to commit suicide. He wants to plan something in the garden before he dies. Willy also thinks that by committing suicide he will help Biff with the twenty thousand he will get. At the end, Willy eventually killed himself leaving behind a tragic life and a family immersed in a world of illusions with no hopes. English Essays

Quality Assurance in the Amazon Company

Introduction Amazon Company is a renowned corporation that was started with a mission to execute quality online distribution and selling books to customers. The company has executed this noble objective in an excellent manner. Currently, it remains the leading online book selling service provider that enjoys a large market share. Its high-tech warehouses and effective retail distribution centers have enabled it to serve its customers with limited complications.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Quality Assurance in the Amazon Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Notably, the company’s product portfolios are internet based and they are managed using relevant software setups that promote efficiency in service delivery. Key services that it offers include online book selling, content development, browsing options and shopping guidelines to customers (Evans and William 247). Indeed, the company has been able to record exemplary performance over the years since its inception. The company’s exemplary performance is attributable to the performance oriented operating strategies that its management has adopted. Firstly, the company is managed under quality assurance ideals that ensure that proper guidelines are followed in all aspects of operation. The management has always ensured that quality assurance guidelines are adhered to holistically with an aim of reducing potential risks that customers may face. This has contributed in safeguarding customers from incurring risks that are normally attached to online transactions. The company also has proper pricing strategy, order fulfillment guideline, effective retailing and product display policies. These strategies enable the company to provide customer oriented services at low prices and in good time. Thus, this paper explores essential strategic aspects that drive performance in Amazon Corporation. Contribution of Amazon.com†™s CRM software in enhancing its market share and competitive advantage As indicated by Evans and William (247), Amazon Corporation has been able to record good performance using various software setups. The software setups have been instrumental in facilitating operations in the institution that was formed with a core mission to provide quality services to customers in real time. In particular, CRM software has contributed immensely in the development of the company. Firstly, it has enabled the company to gain a huge market share due to its efficiency. The software has also enabled the company to gain competitive advantage over its rivals that has in turn made it the leading online book selling corporation. The gains have been possible since the software provides quality support incentives that foster holistic satisfaction of customer needs. Particularly, the software has enabled the company to execute effective personalization of customer details. This ensures that customer deta ils are only used for official purposes to avoid privacy risks. The software also provides requisite incentives that ensure good display of products and other related information such as price and features. This enables customers to make informed choices of products from the wide range of items that are listed (Evans and William 247). Variably, the software has enabled customers to make orders for books and various items online without unnecessary delays. It has also promoted filtering of information pertaining to certain products especially items that are complimentary in nature.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, when a customer orders a product, he is likely to see other items that hold synonymous features as the one ordered appearing on the web page. The effectiveness with which the software has enabled delivery of services in the company explains why the company has been able to record exemplary performance over the years. How operating efficiencies are being realized in order fulfillment activities The operating efficiencies in order fulfillment activities are being realized through the use of technology and effective retail strategies. The strategies have ensured that customers’ orders that are placed on timely basis are processed adequately and a relevant feedback is given. They are tailor-made to enhance efficiency with which services and products are delivered to customers at the specified destinations without complications. In particular, technological advancements and software setups have enabled the company to develop a website that is and remains the leading edge trading platform. The platform has been developed to serve customers better (Evans and William 248). It is accessible and easy to use since it provides excellent display of information that aids choice making and ordering of products. This is evident since if one accesses the website, he is bound to see the products that are in supply, their prices and features. One can also see ordering procedure of a product, payment methods available and mode of delivery. The state of the company’s cost given the current position of its warehouses Notably, low product prices that the company is offering to customers are based on the low cost of stock management. This has been caused by high-tech warehousing strategy that has been instrumental in eliminating bureaucracies and other cost centers that are not necessary. This has enabled the company to operate a leaner stock management structure that requires limited resources. The effective management of resources is what has made the company to be able to set low product prices. This trend is likely to continue despite the evident changes that may occur depending on the state of the economy (Evans and William 248). This is because the company has put in place viable strategies to ensure that i t maintains its operating cost as low as possible with an aim of continuing to provide its services at low prices. To achieve this, the company seeks to enhance its retail strategy of operation, install more effective sorting software setups and eliminate bureaucratic service centers. The strategies are to ensure that the company is able to offer products at lower prices irrespective of changes in the economy.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Quality Assurance in the Amazon Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The evident customer privacy risks In reality, institutions are under obligation to manage information that customers provide with at most confidentiality and integrity. The information provided must also be used only for purpose with which it is given. This is essential since poor management of customer’s private information compromises their loyalty to the company. This is apparent since i t makes them to develop negative attitude about the company and eventually withdraw from being key stakeholders. Although Amazon Company has been managing information that appertains to its customers very well, it faces some privacy challenges that its management must address (Evans and William 249). The privacy issues or risks that it faces include customer confidentiality, data gathering process, record keeping and access to unprecedented levels of information. Firstly, customer confidentiality poses a risk since some customers may divulge key strategic information that helps the company to service its customers well compared to its competitors. This may make the company to loose out its competitiveness. Secondly, record keeping poses a privacy risk to the company due to the increasing number of customers. This is a risk since managing vast amount of information is always challenging. Other risk areas include access to unprecedented levels of information and data gathering procedu res that must be enhanced. Works Cited Evans, James and William, Lindsay.  The Management and Control of Quality. Mason, OH: Thomson South-Western, 2008. Print. This case study on Quality Assurance in the Amazon Company was written and submitted by user Danny Rand to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.