The Hillary Place Papers Special Issue: The Importance of Pilot Studies for Doctoral Research

This special issue of Hillary Place Papers focuses on the theme of Pilot Studies in Educational Research, bringing together reflective accounts from doctoral researchers who examine the role of pilot work in shaping robust and thoughtful research design. Pilot studies are an essential yet often underappreciated stage in doctoral research. They allow novice researchers to identify potential challenges before undertaking their main study and to refine their research questions, data collection methods, and analytical strategies. At the same time, conducting pilot studies supports the development of methodological rigour, reflexivity, and critical thinking among postgraduate researchers.