It is desirable to carry out a pilot study prior to the actual research study because it permits a thorough check of the planned data collection and analysis procedures a pilot study involves more control over the procedures than is generally attained in the actual research project if the pilot study results are positive, further work on the research project will be unnecessary the researcher can use the results of the pilot study in the actual study, thus reducing the number of participants needed.

Which of the following methods could be considered a "best practice" in terms of informing respondents how their answers to an on-line survey about personal information will be protected? respondents are informed that investigators will try to keep their participation confidential; however, confidentiality cannot be assured.respondents are informed that a research assistant will transfer all the research data to a password-protected computer that is not connected to the internet, via a usb flashdrive. the computer is located in a research team member's office.the investigator uses the informed consent process to explain her institution's method for guaranteeing absolute confidentiality of research data.the investigator uses the informed consent process to explain how respondent data will be transmitted from the website to his encrypted database without ever recording respondents' ip addresses, but explains that on the internet confidentiality cannot be absolutely guaranteed.the investigator uses the informed consent process to explain how respondent data will be transmitted from the website to his encrypted database without ever recording respondents' ip addresses, but explains that on the internet confidentiality cannot be absolutely guaranteed