Esikokeita

Esikokeita is a term used in Finnish research practice to refer to pretests or pilot tests conducted before a main study or project. It encompasses small-scale trials of data collection instruments, procedures, and logistics to assess feasibility, clarity, and potential issues. The concept is closely related to but not always identical with a full pilot study: esikokeita often focuses on the instruments themselves, such as questionnaires, interview guides, or experimental protocols, and on identifying practical obstacles.

In practice, esikokeita involve a limited number of participants and a shortened version of the planned study. The process typically includes designing or adapting instruments, recruiting a sample, carrying out data collection, and analyzing results to detect problems with question wording, response options, timing, or administration procedures. Based on findings, researchers revise instruments and procedures before launching the full-scale study, aiming to improve validity, reliability, and efficiency.

Esikokeita are used across fields such as social and health research, market research, education, and usability testing. They help minimize measurement error, refine sampling plans, estimate response rates, and forecast costs and timelines. Limitations include that a small pretest sample may not reveal all issues, and changes after an esikoe may still be required in the main study. Ethical considerations and documentation of changes are generally emphasized to maintain study integrity.