Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

Small Studies, Big Decisions: The Role Of Pilot/Feasibility Studies In Incremental Science And Premature Scale-Up Of Behavioral Interventions, Michael William Beets, Lauren Von Klinggraeff, Robert G. Weaver, Bridget Ryan Armstrong, Sarah Burkart

Faculty Publications

Background: Careful consideration and planning are required to establish “sufficient” evidence to ensure an investment in a larger, more well-powered behavioral intervention trial is worthwhile. In the behavioral sciences, this process typically occurs where smaller-scale studies inform larger-scale trials. Believing that one can do the same things and expect the same outcomes in a larger-scale trial that were done in a smaller-scale preliminary study (i.e., pilot/feasibility) is wishful thinking, yet common practice. Starting small makes sense, but small studies come with big decisions that can influence the usefulness of the evidence designed to inform decisions about moving forward with a …