Pilot Study
 

Conducting a pilot study serves to refine research questions, methodology, and methods. A pilot is a ‘trial’ which enables researchers to implement methods and learn from the experience. 

 

With the support of a Faculty of Education Winter 2023 Undergraduate Research Assistant Grant, we were able to conduct a small qualitative pilot study that we called “Pepper and Triscuit Go to School: Elementary School Students’ Learning With and From Animals.” We decided to focus on one area of the schools’ agriculture focus – the animals – to practice collecting data.

 

The research driving the pilot was: In what ways does learning with and from farm animals enhance children’s curricular and life skills development?

 

Jihoon Jang was the undergraduate education student who participated in this project. Jihoon was an elementary school major in his final semester, and his expertise with young children was a key to the pilot’s success.

​

We collected data through:

1. Classroom observations

2. Individual interviews with 8 K-6 students

3. Individual interviews with 3 teachers

4. Individual interview with 1 parent

5. Focus group with teachers