Introduction

User research plays a critical role in helping companies gather valuable insights to improve their products, services, and user experiences. Research Incentives (also known as "Honorarium") are often used to motivate research participants to participate in such studies and show appreciation for their time and input. This article provides a brief overview of research incentives, their purpose, types, and other essential aspects to help you better understand and make the most of these rewards.

Purpose of Research Incentives

Companies and researchers use incentives to attract and motivate research participants. By offering rewards for participating in research studies, companies ensure that they attract diverse and qualified participants who can provide valuable insights into user needs, preferences, and pain points. Incentives also serve to compensate participants for the time and effort they invest in the research process, thereby fostering a positive and rewarding experience.

Types of Research Incentives

Incentives can take various forms, depending on factors such as the type of research study, duration, participant location, and the company conducting the research. Some common types of incentives include:

Gift Cards

Gift cards are a popular incentive option, as they provide participants with flexibility in choosing products or services from a wide range of retailers. Companies may offer gift cards from popular global retailers, such as Amazon, or local retailers that cater to the participants' geographical location.

OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives as gift cards in 100+ countries from over 700 global retailers, such as Amazon, Apple, eBay, DoorDash, Hulu, Macy's, Lowe's, Nike, Nordstrom, Starbucks, Target, Walmart, and more.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid debit cards, such as Visa or Mastercard, allow participants to spend their incentives at any location that accepts these cards. These cards offer the convenience of cash while ensuring secure and hassle-free transactions.

OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives as prepaid cards, either as a physical card (in the US only) or as a virtual visa card (available globally).

Cash

Participants may receive cash rewards, either in their local currency or a globally recognized currency such as US dollars or euros. Cash incentives can be distributed through various methods, including bank transfers, PayPal, or other digital payment platforms.

OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives as cash using one of the following three options:

• ACH: ACH transfers to any US bank or credit union
• PayPal: Transfer to Paypal accounts in 80+ countries / regions in several currencies
• Venmo: Transfer to your Venmo wallet

Donations to Charity

Some research studies may offer participants the option to donate their incentives to a charity or non-profit organization. This allows participants to contribute to a meaningful cause while still being acknowledged for their time and input in the research study.

OpenQ offers an option to redeem incentives by donating to top charitable organizations worldwide, such as, the American Red Cross, Alzheimer's Association or Doctors without Borders.

Discounts and Vouchers

Some research studies may offer participants discounts or vouchers for products or services, such as product discounts, company swag, or other exclusive offers.

This option is only available for research studies conducted by companies with their own users.

Understanding Research Incentives

It is essential for research participants to understand the specifics of the incentives offered for each study. When receiving an invitation to participate in a research study, pay close attention to the incentive details provided. These details typically include the type and value of the incentive, as well as the distribution method and timeframe for receiving the reward.

Keep in mind that the value of incentives may vary depending on factors such as the study's duration, complexity, and the target audience. Some research studies may require specific expertise or involve more demanding tasks, resulting in higher incentives. Additionally, incentives may be contingent upon the successful completion of the research study or meeting certain eligibility criteria.

Maximizing Your Incentives

To make the most of research incentives, consider the following tips:

Respond to research invitations promptly

The first step of earning research incentives is to ensure that you qualify to participate in the study. Since there are a limited number of participation slots available for each study, ensure that you respond to research invitations promptly. This will help ensure that you can reserve a participation slot for yourself before they are all taken.

Read the study details carefully

Always review the study details carefully, including the incentive information, before deciding to participate. This will help you understand the expectations and requirements, as well as the rewards you can expect for your participation.

Show up on time

If you signed up to participate in a moderated (ie., live) research session, ensure that you show up on time. Additionally, if it's an in-person session, aim to reach the research venue at least 15-20 minutes before the session start time to give yourself sufficient time to park your vehcile (if you are driving) and check-in.

Researchers will usually wait for a few minutes at the start of each session, but if you show up too late, the Researcher may consider you to be a "No-Show" and end the session before you are able to join. If you are running late or have a calendar conflict, always Reschedule the session in advance. Research participation invites sent to your calendar by OpenQ have a Reschedule link that you can use to easily reschedule research sessions in a few clicks.

Participate actively

Engage fully in the research process, providing thoughtful, honest and detailed feedback. This not only increases the value of your input but may also improve your chances of receiving more invitations and incentives in the future.

Conclusion

Research incentives are a vital part of the user research process. By understanding the purpose, types, and details of research incentives, as well as the expectations from you as a Participant, you can make informed decisions about research participation and maximize your chances of receiving research incentives.