How To Find Research Studies That Pay You

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There is no doubt that many of us need that extra bit of cash to help us get through the month, and in times where things seem to be rising exponentially in price, there is no wonder that you are looking for supplementary income sources. Participating in research studies is likely not one that too many people think of; however, companies are willing to pay for your input.


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The Best 10 Sites For Paid Research Studies Are Below.

Key Takeaways

  • In the past, many research studies were limited and restricted to in-person research and surveys; however, to reach a bigger audience and garner a greater pool of study participants, many companies offer the chance to participate online.
  • Because many are online nowadays, many studies are not restricted by location, and you can take part regardless of where you are based.
  • Some research studies are straightforward; all you need to do is create a profile and take part in surveys on the company’s website. For others, though, they may run much like in-person studies, and you will be required to join video call discussions and offer your input and feedback.
  • The amount of money you are paid for your involvement, thoughts, and opinions will differ depending on several variables. This could range from the study’s duration to how you participate in the research and the purpose of the study.

Places To Find Research Studies That Pay You

Paid studies are used as incentives to gain a more significant number of people’s input into a research study. This resultantly allows researchers to use this as a tool to discover how people react to various things. These range from whether or not people like a product or not (informing the researcher whether there is a demand for it) to something like medical treatments and how well they work.

The ultimate goal is to discover what works and what does not, as well as the potential success of various products, services, resources, and the like. Therefore, there is no wonder that you can find online studies or focus groups that will offer to pay you for your time, input, and feedback.

All sites and companies will have their own requirements and payment incentives, so peruse those below and look for the ones that are most suited to you. If you are willing to offer yourself up as a subject for a research study that pays, you will find it a neat way to help supplement your income, and you may even enjoy the experience.


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1. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion is a survey website that partners with many well-known companies. These companies are hungry for the opinions of the marketplace, potential clients, and customers. All you will have to do to join is enter some basic information about yourself and your household, especially regarding where you reside and your lifestyle.

It will likely need to be one of a few sites you sign up to so you can do surveys, as they will probably only email you survey invitations several times per year. You then gain points for the surveys taken, translating into payouts of less than $1 for some and as much as $50 for others. You can then cash out the accumulated points via PayPal or donate to charities.

2. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie was founded in 2005 and pays people to take surveys and offer their opinions regarding large brands that hope to improve their existing products and services. As with many other research sites, it requires you to answer questions about yourself, and you need to create a profile. What is also great about this site, like some others, is that it matches the surveys with you.

Once you have completed a survey, you are rewarded with virtual points, these can then, in turn, be redeemed for cash that can be paid to you via PayPal, or you can receive online gift cards. You are likely to earn between 100 and 200 points, which converts to roughly $1-$3 per survey, and they will typically take 5 to 20 minutes to complete.

3. Prolific

Prolific involves a group of researchers who deeply value understanding people’s thoughts, behavior, and feelings and are willing to pay you cash to participate in their engaging research. With them, there are no point systems or prize draws as some research sites offer. Getting started is quick and easy and takes only a few minutes of your time.

You will have to sign up and answer screening questions that help them better understand you. Once you are all set up, then the next thing to do is to begin taking part in engaging online surveys and studies that are put out by some of the top companies and educational institutions around.


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Their requests and the things you will interact with range from what we have already mentioned to something as simple as games, testing new products, offering your opinion, and even some scientific research.

The studies pay approximately $8 per hour, and you can easily cash out via PayPal. There is an array of forms, and their duration can be as short as a few minutes to a few hours, or even studies that are portioned into sections that you will complete over extended periods.

4. User Interviews

User Interviews is a great side hustle to have at your fingertips; you earn money based on your feedback regarding products. There are generally a couple of thousand studies conducted monthly, and they are keen to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Like most other sites, you will be required to construct a personal profile, and from there, you can begin the journey of scouring through the available studies and finding those that interest you. Additionally, based on your profile and the things you lean toward, they will email you studies that fit you best.

You then apply to the studies, so you are not automatically accepted. However, after answering a few simple questions, the researchers will then take that information and decide if you are eligible for the study. Once you have passed this point, you set up a time for a session, and following its completion, you will be paid and should receive the money within days.

5. Respondent

Respondent is a site that aids companies and corporations perform research studies regarding markets and consumer behavior. Your role will be to participate in focus groups as a “respondent” and will likely be involved in one-on-one interviews and similar research methods. Most of the studies can be completed online, and you can even use your cellphone to do so.

The “respondent” will be given projects and what is great about this site is that there are jobs available to both US residents and international participants. Therefore, regardless of your location in the world, you can sign up and take part.


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As far as payments go, you will need a PayPal account to receive your earnings, which can range from $150 to $250 per hour or per research task. Additionally, to join, you will need to have a LinkedIn or Facebook profile already to allow you to create one with Respondent.

6. Recruit And Field

Recruit and Field is a site that offers online studies and research groups in various locations across the US. They also search for a variation in the demographics and accept both males and females from a range of ages to partake in their research.

They have been in the business since 1977, and they have been inviting, connecting, and most importantly, paying people for their input. They are a viable way of earning extra money, and they genuinely care about your thoughts and opinions.

There are various clients and market research projects which you can get involved with regarding an array of products and services. You will aid them by having the chance to participate in different manners, from in-person interviews to online surveys and even product testing. Like many others on this list, they also pay via PayPal, and their rates are between $100 and $275 per study.

7. FocusGroup.com

FocusGroup.com also has a relatively long history, and they were first formed in 1988. They offer an array of manners in being involved in their research, such as in-person and online focus groups, which take place via phone or webcam.

Most of their surveys and focus groups involve topics such as pet products, health and wellness, and even finances. Once you have created your profile, you shall receive surveys via email and focus group invitations.

Your earning potential sits between $75 and $150 for participating in focus groups, while you will receive points for completing surveys. These points can be applied toward a prepaid Visa debit card; when it comes to cashing out, 100 points is equivalent to $1.

8. Boston University Questrom School Of Business Behavioral Lab

The Behavioral Lab focuses on studying human behavior and management tactics, and the participants engage in surveys or simulations and are paid between $10 and $20 per hour. Boston University students and the general public are eligible to enroll. They are constantly seeking people who would like to get involved in their studies.

On top of their onsite research engagement opportunities, the School of Business Behavioral Lab also has an “Elab,” which offers online research possibilities to pretty much anyone, as long as you have access to the internet. Additionally, you can sign up to engage in both onsite and online research.


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9. SurveyFeeds

SurveyFeeds are US-based, and they offer the opportunity to get involved with paid research in various US cities, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and more. Additionally, they have not limited themselves to merely onsite research and encourage people to engage with them online too.

Their studies offer a varied pay range, stretching from $50 to $475, and you will need to see what you qualify to get involved with. There are multiple forms of research conduction, such as study groups, one-on-one interviews, online surveys, web conferences, and others.

10. Center For Behavioral And Decision Research At Carnegie Mellon

At the Center, they predominantly conduct in-person studies on campus; however, there are instances where at times, one can participate online via a laptop or desktop computer. You must be at least 18 years old and proficient in reading and speaking English. Additionally, you may only be involved if you have never been part of previous studies at the Center.

One can also sign up for online studies, and these will predominantly examine personal beliefs, decision-making, attitudes toward certain things, interpersonal perceptions, and more. Although a fun experience and a chance to learn more about oneself in the process, they pay relatively low at approximately $8-$10 per hour.

We have covered an array of options to choose from regarding sites offering paid research studies; however, at this point, you may still be unsure about certain aspects or perhaps even skeptical. Therefore, we have included a list of related questions, hopefully putting your mind at ease.

What Is A Paid Research Study Exactly?

There are various forms of research studies, and they vary from incentivized online studies to product testing and even being paid to take part in clinical trials for revolutionary medical treatments and medications. Their aim and goal are to assess the market and help the company identify if the product or service is viable and whether there will be success found in it.

How Much Can One Expect To Make From Paid Research Studies?

An array of factors come into play, and it is best to know what they are before starting. The average earnings you can expect are anywhere from $30 to $150 for most research studies; however, there are those that pay far less (as little as $8) and those that are highly specified, intricate, and require more significant input. They can pay as much as $450 for as little as an hour of your time.

Are Some Studies Scams, And How Can I Avoid Them?

Yes, some studies may take your valuable input and time and ultimately not pay out in the end; therefore, it is better to go with established sites that have been used and reviewed by others. If there are predominantly negative comments (or very few reviews), then tread cautiously and perhaps reconsider participating in their studies.

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