préteste

Préteste is a term used in research methodology and market research to denote a preparatory testing phase conducted before the main data collection or study. The aim is to evaluate and refine research instruments, materials, and procedures so that the subsequent study yields higher quality data.

In practice, a préteste focuses on the design and administration of the instrument rather than on the full execution of the research project. It often involves a small, representative sample and may incorporate techniques such as cognitive interviewing, think-aloud protocols, or a brief pilot administration. Through these methods, researchers identify ambiguities in question wording, confusing response options, improper sequencing, or unclear instructions, and they gather feedback on the overall feasibility of the procedures.

Contexts where prétests are common include survey design, psychological and social science research, educational testing, and advertising or product development where stimuli or messages are evaluated before a full-scale study. In advertising, for example, prétests assess consumer reactions to an advertisement or packaging before broader rollout. In questionnaire design, results from a préteste typically lead to revisions to item wording, scale formats, order, and skip logic.

Préteste is related to, but distinct from, a pilot test or pilot study. While a préteste concentrates on instrument and material quality, a pilot test may encompass the entire study protocol on a larger scale to evaluate logistics, data collection procedures, and preliminary data.