Paid Online Research Studies: A Quick Guide to Earning Money from Home

Written by: Alexis Schroeder

Publish Date: June 29, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no cost to you.

Did you know you can get paid for sharing your opinions and insights with online research studies?

Participating in these research studies is a rewarding way to earn some cash. 

These studies are run to get opinions from individuals on various topics while also giving you the opportunity to make money.

There’s no catch with online research studies. They’re done so companies can make decisions on their business, so your input is actually quite valuable in their decision-making process.

Online research studies range from very short surveys to in-depth interviews or focus groups.

Compensation for these online research studies varies depending on the type of research and time commitment.

For special online research studies, you can expect to earn up to $100 per hour for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

How to get started?

To get started with online research studies, sign up for profiles on online research platforms or consumer research companies.

Complete your profile which will then help you match with the most relevant studies.

Once you’re invited to a study, read the instructions carefully and provide thoughtful, detailed responses.

You’ll likely need to give basic information such as your email address, years of age and answer some screening questions.

Types of Paid Online Research Studies

Surveys

Getting paid for online surveys is the most common way to earn money with online research. Many survey sites even have a mobile app making it even easier to earn extra money in your free time.

You’ll answer a series of questions regarding specific products, services, and even experiences.

You may be wondering who is paying for all of this? 

The people paying you are often market research firms or advertising agencies that are in charge of obtaining consumer opinions and feedback.

You can earn money via gift cards (like Amazon gift cards) and cash with surveys. Surveys are an easy way to earn money in your spare time.

Most popular survey sites and apps

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a popular survey site. Once you sign up and finish your profile, Survey Junkie connects you with the best surveys to answer. 

Each survey you complete gives you points, and these points can be converted to gift cards or PayPal.

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is easy to use with a simple sign up process. You earn points by answering surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and other easy tasks.

Swagbucks pays out gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, PayPal, and others. They’ve paid out over $898,000,0000 to their members.

Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys has over 3 million users and it’s also easy sign up. You can redeem your points for cash or gift cards.

This survey company has paid out over $39,000,000 to their community of answering surveys.

Branded Surveys is also known for having a fast payout time and have excellent reviews on Trust Pilot.

Focus Groups

Paid focus groups are different from surveys as they involve a group of people to discuss a certain topic.

The topic is typically related to a product, service, or marketing strategy.

In a focus group, you’ll be apart of a conversation that provides valuable insights for companies. There are online focus groups and in-person focus groups.

Your job is to actively participate in the conversation and share your opinions. Research participants in focus groups can get paid up to $100 an hour for doing this.

Interviews

One-on-one interviews is another method for getting paid in online research studies.

This is where you interact directly with a researcher either in person or on a phone.

I’ve actually done this before when I was in college and someone stopped me at the mall. I went to answer some questions in an office area at the mall and got paid for my time. It was super easy.

I was even stopped the other day at the mall to answer questions about candles. I would’ve gotten paid for my time, but I was in a hurry and said no.

However, these can also be done online via Skype or Zoom, and even over the phone.

These interviews are used to gain knowledge about consumers feelings, thoughts, and experiences regarding different things.

Since interviews can be a little more time consuming than surveys, you’ll typically get paid more.

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Taste Tests

Another interesting way to make money are via taste tests.

This is where you try out different foods and evaluate the food or beverage product.

With a taste test, you may be required to visit a specific location, while sometimes the online research companies send the food straight to your house. 

Your feedback helps companies create better products.

This is one of the coolest ways to earn extra cash because you get to try products out for free before they even hit the market.

Clinical Trials

Another popular way to make money is via clinical trials.

Where I grew up in St. Louis, clinical trials were quite common actually. I knew of a handful of people that participated in clinical trials.

These trials evaluate the effectiveness and safety of medical treatments, interventions, or devices.

Clinical trials rely on human volunteers to test new medications, medical devices, and even therapies. 

Participating in these trials is a great way to not only make extra money, but contribute to medical advancements. 

Before getting started in a clinical trial, it’s important you weight out the risks and benefits before enrolling.

How much you get paid for clinical trials varies widely. Payment depends on factors such as length of study, level of involvement required, etc.

Make sure to read the descriptions and requirements of each clinical trial before signing up. You need to understand what is going to be expected of you. 

You also need to follow the guidelines to increase your chances of getting selected for future clinical trials.

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Finding and Participating in Paid Research Studies

Websites

Ready to get started participating in paid research studies? 

Here are some survey sites that pay for opinions:

All of these methods will help you get started earning extra cash for your time and opinions.

If you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial, I recommend checking out ClinicalTrials.gov.

There are tens of thousands of available studies all around the world going on at a time. With ClinicalTrials.gov, you can search for studies based on certain conditions or diseases, medication names, countries, etc.

Market Research Companies

You can also find market research companies by registering with Respondent.

Respondent is a market research company that conducts online focus groups. Every focus group pays out a different amount and some pay out to up to $100/hour.

University Research Labs

You may already know that university research labs frequently run studies and require participants for these studies.

Major institutions like Harvard University, MIT Behavioral Research Lab, Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, Purdue University, andStanford Graduate School of Business regularly conduct research studies.

If you’re interested in participating in these studies, visit the universities’ websites and search for opportunities. These opportunities are usually listed under “participate in research” or “research volunteers”.

Many of these schools also let you sign up on their mailing list to be notified of new studies.

Virtual Labs

You can now participate in online paid research studies by enrolling in virtual lab studies.

These studies are convenient for people who don’t want to travel to locations and instead participate in the study from their home.

Compensation for Participating in Research Studies

You can earn extra cash via paid research studies while also contributing to new projects and items coming out.

There are several different ways you can get paid for these research studies, which we’ll talk more about below.

Cash Payments

One of the most common ways to receive compensation for your time is direct cash payments.

This is typically done via electronic payment, such as PayPal or Venmo.

Gift Cards

Another common way to receive compensation is via gift cards.

These gift cards usually are for retailers like Amazon, Target, etc. Gift cards are easy to use and can be spent on almost anything.

Point-Based Systems

Rather than getting paid via cash or gift cards, some companies pay out via points.

When getting paid in points, you earn points with each study you complete, and then these points can be converted to either cash, gift cards, or other rewards.

If the company you’re working with uses this method, make sure you keep track of your points and cash out before the points expire.

This method is motivating for some people because you can save up your points and potentially get bigger rewards.

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Getting paid for online research studies – Common FAQ

What types of studies are available?

There is a wide range of research studies available, covering various fields and topics.

The types of research studies you can participate in online are diverse and can include:

  • Surveys
  • Psychological studies
  • Market research
  • Health and medical studies
  • Social science research
  • Product testing
  • Academic research
  • User experience research
  • Focus groups

These are just a few examples of the types of research studies available online. The diversity of topics and fields means that there are research opportunities to suit a wide range of interests and backgrounds. When looking for studies to participate in, consider your own interests and expertise to find studies that resonate with you.

How long do online research studies take?

Research studies can vary in length depending on the study’s objectives and goals. Some studies can be really short and take 5 minutes, while others can require a substantial time commitment. 

Here are some common timeframes for online research studies.

  • Short surveys – range from 5-15 minutes
  • Long surveys – 1 hour or more
  • Focus groups – 1-2 hours
  • User testing – 15-30 minutes 
  • Multi-day studies involving medical studies – as little as 1 hour to several weeks 

Keep in mind that your own pace can also affect the time it takes to complete a study. Some participants may complete tasks more quickly than others, so the estimated time is a general guideline.

What are the requirements to participate in online studies?

There are specific requirements for each online paid research study.

Here are some common requirements you may encounter when considering participation in online studies:

  • Age
  • Location
  • Langauge
  • Internet access
  • Device compatibility
  • Technical requirements
  • Availability
  • Demographic

It’s important to carefully read the eligibility criteria and requirements provided in the study descriptions. When you’re considering participating in a specific study, review these requirements to determine if you meet them.

Final thoughts

Participating in online research studies is rewarding and a convenient way to make extra cash. You also get to contribute to scientific knowledge and share your opinions. 

To sum things up, here’s how to make the most of your online research experience.

  • Choose reputable platforms and organizations
  • Read the terms and conditions of each study and ask what the payment method is 
  • Ask questions or get clarification when you need it
  • Explore different online research platforms to get more opportunities so you can get jobs that feel like the right fit

Remember that online research studies offer more than just financial incentives. By participating, you’re contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge.

So, whether you’re a student looking for a way to earn some extra cash, a curious mind eager to explore new topics, or someone passionate about helping researchers uncover valuable insights, online research studies have something to offer. 

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