Study design
Pilot study
A small early study used to test feasibility or refine methods.
What it means
Definition
Pilot study: A pilot study can help researchers plan a larger trial. It is usually not designed to provide definitive evidence of benefit.
What it can tell you
It can show how close the evidence is to a real human health outcome.
What it cannot tell you
It cannot prove that a treatment works in people unless human outcome data are available.
Headline trap
Why this matters in headlines
A pilot study may suggest an app is feasible, but it cannot prove population-level health effects.