title: A mixed method pilot study: the researchers' experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper reports on the outcomes of a small well designed pilot study.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Pilot studies often disseminate limited or statistically meaningless results without adding to the body knowledge on the comparative research benefits.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design a pre-test post-test group parallel randomised control trial and inductive content analysis of focus group transcripts was tested specifically to increase outcomes in a proposed larger study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strategies are now in place to overcome operational barriers and recruitment difficulties. Links between the qualitative and quantitative arms of the proposed larger study have been made; it is anticipated that this will add depth to the final report.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More extensive reporting on the outcomes of pilot studies would assist researchers and increase the body of knowledge in this area.
authors.affiliation: Australian Catholic University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Jacinta M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Secomb
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design