A pilot or preliminary study is referred to a small-scale of a complete survey or a pretest for a particular research instrument such as a questionnaire or interview guide (1). Pilot studies could be conducted in qualitative, quantitative, and even mixed methods research (2).

  General application of pilot studies can be summarized in four areas: 1) to find problems and barriers related to participants' recruitment 2) being engaged in research as a qualitative researcher 3) assessing the acceptability of observation or interview protocol and 4) to determine epistemology and methodology of research. Three specific functions of pilot studies in qualitative research are assigned to three main qualitative methodologies including phenomenology, grounded theory, and ethnography. It allows exercising epoch within the phenomenological research, increasing theoretical sensitivity in grounded theory, and familiarity with fieldwork in ethnography (3-5).

  Background & Aim: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in both developed and developing countries. Long-term prognosis of breast cancer strongly depends on the stage of disease at diagnosis. More than three months after detecting breast symptoms by Iranian women, they go to visit a doctor. The understanding of life-threatening symptoms and the subsequent responses are differently affected by social interaction networks as well as cultural and social contexts. This study aimed to explore the role of social interactions on health-seeking behaviors among Iranian women with breast cancer symptoms .

  Methods & Materials: A qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling method. Twenty Iranian w omen who attended the Cancer Institute in Imam Khomeini hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and complained of symptoms of breast cancer were recruited to the study du ring 2012-2013. Data were collected through semi-structured and in-depth interviews. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using conventional content analysis in the MAXqda . 

  Results: The results revealed three themes including: 1) effectiveness of social learning 2) seeking social support and 3) feedback with a supportive approach which included seven categories of informative social learning, reliable social learning, selective disclosure, seeking information, seeking emotional support , giving reassurance and social support for decision making .

  Conclusion: E ffective social learning and supportive interactions have influential role on health seeking behavior. Thus it is necessary to improve public awareness and correct clients' social beliefs about breast cancer to shorten the patients' delay .

Background & Aim: Mothers during pregnancy face many concerns. Identifying mothers’ strategies to manage those concerns can help healthcare providers to promote their mental health. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant mothers’ strategies for the management of their concerns during pregnancy.

Methods & Materials: This qualitative study was conducted in Gorgan city during 2014-2015. The study participants were 20 pregnant women and three of their husbands as well as three experienced midwives who were selected using purposive sampling and interviewed through semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed through conventional content analysis using the MAXQDA software.

Results: Data analysis led to the emergence of five main categories including the utilization of purposive knowledge acquisition, reliance on the leverage of spirituality, thinking management and stress control, the effort to maintain and improve familial interactions and emotional preparation for pregnancy.

Conclusion: The five strategies used by pregnant women to manage their concerns, were identified in this study. Midwives can play an important role in implementing these strategies and empowering pregnant women.