Jacinta M Secomb1, Colleen Smith. 1. Australian Catholic University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: This paper reports on the outcomes of a small well designed pilot study. BACKGROUND: Pilot studies often disseminate limited or statistically meaningless results without adding to the body knowledge on the comparative research benefits. METHOD: The design a pre-test post-test group parallel randomised control trial and inductive content analysis of focus group transcripts was tested specifically to increase outcomes in a proposed larger study. OUTCOMES: Strategies are now in place to overcome operational barriers and recruitment difficulties. Links between the qualitative and quantitative arms of the proposed larger study have been made; it is anticipated that this will add depth to the final report. CONCLUSION: More extensive reporting on the outcomes of pilot studies would assist researchers and increase the body of knowledge in this area.
RCT Entities:
AIM: This paper reports on the outcomes of a small well designed pilot study. BACKGROUND: Pilot studies often disseminate limited or statistically meaningless results without adding to the body knowledge on the comparative research benefits. METHOD: The design a pre-test post-test group parallel randomised control trial and inductive content analysis of focus group transcripts was tested specifically to increase outcomes in a proposed larger study. OUTCOMES: Strategies are now in place to overcome operational barriers and recruitment difficulties. Links between the qualitative and quantitative arms of the proposed larger study have been made; it is anticipated that this will add depth to the final report. CONCLUSION: More extensive reporting on the outcomes of pilot studies would assist researchers and increase the body of knowledge in this area.