If you like doing surveys for cash but would rather try something that can pay more, paid research studies and online focus groups give you a few more options.
You may be asked to share your opinions, try a product, or take part in a university study, with payment depending on the project and how much time is involved.
Many of the options below have online opportunities, while some university programs also include local or in-person studies. Rewards can be cash, gift cards, or prize drawings, so those differences are noted below.
How To Participate In Research Studies
Usually, you’ll start by creating a profile or joining a participant list, and then you’ll be contacted about studies that may be a match.
Some sites also let you browse available studies yourself, although signing up doesn’t mean you’ll be selected for every one you try.
Where to Get Paid For Research Studies Online
Below are 16 places where you can join a research panel or look through paid study opportunities, with the broader online options listed first.
1 – Respondent
You can be matched with research studies about products, everyday experiences, or your professional background, and many can be done from home.
Payments are sent through Tremendous rather than directly through PayPal, with reward choices depending on your country. Respondent’s participant payment guide lists a 5% fulfillment fee, with a $1 minimum.
Go here to get started with Respondent.
2 – User Interviews
You can apply for online interviews, focus groups, product tests, and longer diary studies through User Interviews.
The company says its average study pays over $45, although the amount and reward type will depend on the study you’re selected for.
Go here to get started with User Interviews.
3 – Prolific
If you’d rather do shorter online research tasks, Prolific is another option, with studies about behavior, products, and other topics.
New participants join a waitlist first, and approved earnings can be withdrawn through PayPal once you reach the $6 or £6 cash-out minimum.
Go here to get started with Prolific.
4 – CloudResearch Connect
With Connect, you’ll be shown online research projects that match your profile, and you can choose which ones you want to do.
You can track approved earnings in your account and cash out through PayPal or bank transfer, with different minimums for each method.
Go here to get started with CloudResearch Connect.
5 – Dscout
Dscout’s research projects are called missions, and you may be asked to share photos, record videos, or take part in an online interview.
Applications are unpaid, but if you’re selected and complete an approved mission, your reward is sent through PayPal.
Go here to get started with Dscout.
6 – Fieldwork
Fieldwork offers both local research sessions and virtual opportunities, so you don’t have to live near one of its offices to join the national database.
You may be invited to a focus group, a one-on-one interview, or another type of discussion, with the incentive depending on the project.
Go here to get started with Fieldwork.
7 – Focus Group
FocusGroup.com is operated by Sago, formerly Schlesinger, and offers surveys, online discussions, telephone interviews, and in-person research.
Participation points can be redeemed for rewards such as Visa and Amazon options, and joining is free.
Go here to get started with Focus Group.
8 – FocusGroups.org
Rather than conducting all the research itself, FocusGroups.org lists studies from other companies, including online interviews, product tests, and focus groups.
This gives you another place to browse opportunities, with the pay and selection process depending on the company running each study.
Go here to get started with FocusGroups.org.
9 – MIT Behavioral Research Lab
You don’t have to be an MIT student to join this participant pool, which accepts English-speaking adults age 18 and older throughout the United States.
Online studies typically pay the equivalent of $12 to $20 an hour, and researchers may send electronic gift certificates for your participation.
Go here to get started with MIT Behavioral Research Lab.
10 – Columbia Business School
Columbia’s behavioral research lab accepts U.S. residents who are at least 18, and you may be asked to share opinions or complete decision-making tasks.
Most studies last five to 30 minutes, with typical payments between $5 and $20.
Go here to get started with Columbia Business School.
11 – Kellogg School of Management
Kellogg accepts adults age 18 and older for a mix of online, virtual, and in-person research, with online studies usually taking five to 15 minutes.
Its published rates are up to $16 an hour for online studies and $17 to $21 an hour for virtual studies, with payment options varying by project.
Go here to get started with Kellogg School of Management.
12 – Rare Patient Voice
If you have a medical condition or care for someone who does, Rare Patient Voice recruits people to share their experiences through interviews, surveys, and other research.
Many current U.S. listings offer $120 for a one-hour web-assisted phone interview, although the amount and time involved vary.
Go here to get started with Rare Patient Voice.
13 – Kent State University Psychology Research
Kent State has a participant pool for psychology research that is open beyond its student body.
The listings include paid studies, raffles, and unpaid volunteer opportunities, so not every study offers a payment, and not all are online.
Go here to get started with Kent State University Psychology Research.
14 – MIT AgeLab
You can register for MIT AgeLab’s volunteer contact list if you’d like to hear about its research on everyday life and aging.
You’ll be contacted with details about studies, including who can participate and what compensation is offered, rather than being promised a set payment just for joining.
Go here to get started with MIT AgeLab.
15 – University of Colorado Boulder
CU Boulder publishes research opportunities that include both remote projects and studies requiring visits to campus.
The amount and type of payment vary, and many opportunities are better suited to readers who live near Boulder rather than those wanting only online studies.
Go here to get started with University of Colorado Boulder.
16 – Cornell Business Simulation Lab
This one is more limited, since Cornell’s participant pool is intended for people connected to Cornell or the Ithaca area, with separate signup options for students, staff, alumni, and local residents.
Studies may be online or in person, with cash, online transfers, gift cards, or prize drawings offered depending on the project.
Go here to get started with Cornell Business Simulation Lab.
Tips For Success With Online Research Studies
Research studies can be a way to earn extra money, but you shouldn’t count on being selected often enough to replace a regular job.
If you’d like other things to do between invitations, you can also look through these sites with small online tasks and my list of ways to earn extra cash online.
- Keep your profiles complete and current so you can be matched with relevant studies.
- Watch for invitations and new listings, since available spaces can fill quickly.
- If you’re selected, follow through with the activities you agreed to do and let the researcher know if you need to cancel.
- Don’t pay someone to let you join a study or send money back from a check they’ve mailed you.
Ready To Try Paid Research?
If you’d like to start with online interviews and focus groups, User Interviews lets you create a profile and apply for studies that interest you.
Good luck!
Photo by Kaboompics
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.