A pilot survey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A pilot survey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a preliminary study conducted to gather information and assess the feasibility of a larger research project. Example: "Before launching the full-scale research, we conducted a pilot survey to gauge participant interest and refine our questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A pilot survey for this project was successfully conducted in Beijing in December 2000.

Harvard University

A pilot survey on young females from Hangzhou was conducted.

Fashion and Textiles

A pilot survey of decisions by acute medicine staff after thunderclap headache.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A pilot survey also shows clearly the fact that, these activities are usually outsourced by SMEs at various extents.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

A pilot survey is a useful fail-safe precaution to take before conducting the main survey [30].

European Transport Research Review

A pilot survey enables certain prior parameters to be refined and allows values to be obtained for the remaining parameters.

European Transport Research Review

A pilot survey is needed to obtain more accurate and precise prior parameters for calibrating a MNL model with Limdep NLogit software.

European Transport Research Review

A pilot survey was initially given to 10 clinical toxicologists and 15 emergency physicians to determine the appropriateness of the questions and survey layout.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

A pilot survey was conducted with one shipping line in Japan and one in Singapore, and their comments were used to improve the questionnaire survey.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

A pilot survey was undertaken of 480 people in 9 clusters (6 rural and 3 urban) to assess examination process and procedures.

Plosone

A pilot survey was carried out.

UNICEF

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a research project, clarify the purpose of "A pilot survey". Explain what parameters are being tested or refined before the main study.

Common error

Avoid treating the results of "A pilot survey" as definitive findings. Emphasize that the data is preliminary and intended to improve the design of a larger study.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "A pilot survey" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to denote a preliminary study conducted before a larger, more comprehensive one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

Academia

15%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "A pilot survey" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a preliminary study conducted before a larger research project. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to test and refine research methods. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts but also appears in news and media. When using "A pilot survey", ensure you clarify its purpose and avoid treating its results as definitive. Consider alternatives like "preliminary study" or "feasibility study" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A preliminary study

Replaces "pilot" with "preliminary", emphasizing the initial nature of the study.

An initial assessment

Focuses on the evaluative aspect of the early-stage investigation.

A feasibility study

Highlights the goal of determining if a larger study is viable.

A trial survey

Emphasizes the experimental nature of the survey.

A test survey

Similar to "trial survey", but with a focus on testing the survey instrument itself.

A preparatory survey

Highlights the survey's role in preparing for a larger effort.

A baseline survey

Focuses on establishing a reference point before a larger study or intervention.

A small-scale survey

Emphasizes the limited scope of the initial survey.

A preliminary investigation

Wider than a survey, suggesting a more open-ended form of initial inquiry.

An exploratory survey

Emphasizes the goal of discovering new information or insights.

FAQs

What is the purpose of conducting "A pilot survey"?

The purpose of conducting "A pilot survey" is to test and refine the survey instrument, procedures, and data collection methods before launching a full-scale study. This helps identify potential issues and improve the quality of the final results.

How does "A pilot survey" differ from a regular survey?

"A pilot survey" is smaller in scope and aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of the survey design. A regular survey is typically larger and aims to collect data from a representative sample to draw conclusions about a population. The former is preparatory, while the latter is for gathering the bulk of data.

What are some alternatives to "A pilot survey"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary study", "initial assessment", or "feasibility study" depending on the context. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the preliminary research.

What should I do after completing "A pilot survey"?

After completing "A pilot survey", analyze the data to identify any problems with the survey design, such as confusing questions or low response rates. Use these insights to refine the survey instrument and procedures before launching the full-scale study.