In the context of evidence-informed decision-making, what role do pilot studies play?

• A. They guarantee success before scaling up.
• B. They test new practices on a small scale before wider implementation.
• C. They are always skipped in practice.
• D. They replace all future evaluations.

Answer: (B)

Pilot studies in evidence-informed decision-making are small-scale trials used to test a new practice, program, or policy in a real setting before rolling it out more broadly. They allow teams to assess feasibility, acceptability, and how well the approach can be implemented with available resources, while collecting early data on potential outcomes and any unintended effects. This early testing helps identify needed adjustments—such as training, workflows, or support systems—so a wider implementation is more likely to succeed. It’s important to note that pilots don’t guarantee success, aren’t always skipped, and don’t replace future evaluations; they inform decisions about whether to expand and how to design rigorous, larger-scale assessments.