Pilot studies can help to pave the way for larger randomized controlled trials of health-related behavioral interventions. Unfortunately, there is widespread uncertainty and confusion about the kinds of studies that should or should not be called pilot trials, and about their relationship to other types of preliminary studies of behavioral interventions. The traditional conceptualization of pilot studies as "preliminary efficacy" trials has been especially problematic. This report identifies some common and problematic weaknesses in pilot trials. It also describes a strategy for preliminary research on behavioral interventions that can prevent these problems, and provides recommendations for researchers and reviewers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

中文翻译：

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与健康有关的行为干预研究的试验性试验：问题，解决方案和建议。

试点研究可以为健康相关行为干预的大型随机对照试验铺平道路。不幸的是，对于应该被称为不应该进行试点研究的研究种类，以及它们与行为干预的其他初步研究之间的关系，存在着广泛的不确定性和困惑。将试点研究的传统概念化为“初步疗效”试验尤其成问题。该报告指出了试验性试验中的一些常见和有问题的弱点。它还描述了可以预防这些问题的行为干预的初步研究策略，并为研究人员和审阅者提供了建议。（PsycInfo数据库记录（c）2020 APA，保留所有权利）。