Pilot studies and related early-phase research activities establish the foundation for long-term lines of research and large external awards. Careful planning at this stage shapes the direction, feasibility, and durability of an investigator’s research trajectory. Pilot studies can be more difficult to design than later stage research. They require a level of insight, focus, and vision that is not instinctive to all investigators. Fortunately, pilot study planning is an acquired skill that improves with practice. The Pilot Study Planning Tool helps investigators transform under-developed ideas into focused and compelling packages.
This tool introduces the PILOTS framework for pilot study planning. For a downloadable PDF preview of the framework, click the button below. To purchase the full tool (approximately 7 pages), return to the homepage.