The importance of pilot studies: Beginning the hermeneutic circle

This article suggests the importance of experiential knowledge and/or engag ement of the researcher for developing understanding. One way to ground res earchers' theoretical derived understanding is to conduct a pilot study. Th e hermeneutic circle, as described by Heidegger, provides a framework for u nderstanding the importance of pilot studies; it suggests that a person mus t have a practical sense of the domain within which a phenomenon is situate d in order to develop understanding. In this article, 1 present the many me aningful revisions to the theoretical framework and methodology that a pilo t study allowed me to make within the research project. Two important impli cations that contribute to higher education research and practice are offer ed: (1) it illustrates the importance of grounding the research process in practical activity, and (2) it highlights how reflection can help to improv e our research practice.