A pilot test is the carrying out of a small-scale study that allows the researcher to identify problems within the study (Brannen, 2017). It is conducted to evaluate feasibility, cost, and adverse events and improve upon the study design prior to conducting a full-scale research project (Brannen, 2017). Pilot test is needed in order to approximate the costs that are required for the study to be carried out and also to examine the convenience of the proposed study (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).
A pilot test is necessary for testing the reliability of data collection instruments (Rahi, 2017). It is a complete study, but somewhat simpler than the real study the researcher is planning to conduct (Rahi, 2017). The aim of pilot study is to test the reliability of the questionnaires, it is therefore conducted to detect weakness in design and instrumentation and to provide accurate data for selection of a sample (Rahi, 2017).
3.8.1. Reliability of Data collection Instruments
Reliability of data is the consistency of responses over a variety of conditions where the results should be obtained (Watson, 2015). As for this study, internal consistency reliability is the type of reliability to be tested. This method determines whether you get the same results from different parts of a test that are designed to measure the same construct (Watson, 2015). It tells the relationship between responses on a given survey item and the total score for that variable scale. By omitting the items with low correlations to the total variable scale, one can increase reliability (internal consistency), of the variables for final data analysis (Watson, 2015).