予よ備び研けん究きゅう

よ

び

け

ん

きゅ

う

Meanings

1

noun

pilot study; preliminary study

A small-scale preliminary investigation conducted before a full-scale research project, often to test feasibility or refine methods.

予beforehand, previous, myself

備equip, provision, preparation

研polish, study of, sharpen

究research, study

事じ前ぜん調ちょう査さ
事前調査 is a broader term for any preliminary investigation, while 予備研究 specifically refers to a pilot or preparatory study in a research context.
パイロットスタディ
パイロットスタディ is a direct loanword for 'pilot study' and is used in similar academic contexts, but 予備研究 is the native Japanese equivalent.

Compound of 予備 (yobi, 'preliminary, reserve') and 研究 (kenkyū, 'research').