If you are enamored of making money from online surveys, today, you will have a blast, as I am going to bestow the best-paid university research studies and focus groups.
While survey companies reward you in pennies or gift cards, research companies and leading universities pay you way better to participate in comprehensive studies and focus group talks.
There are many kinds of paid university studies available. Most would broadly fit into two major categories: Medical and Psychological.
Some studies, especially the medical, require you to travel on-site to a specific location. However, a significant number of psychological studies get conducted remotely.
Participating in research can be pretty interesting. Besides earning sound money, depending on the research project, you learn new information and technology, get clear perspicacity about yourself, or meet fascinating people.
So, without further delay, let’s dive into our today’s topic of paid online university research studies.
What Is A Research Study?
According to Study.com, a research study is a careful and detailed examination into a specific problem, concern, or issue using the scientific method.
It’s the adult form of the science fair projects back in elementary school, where you try to learn something by experimenting. This is best accomplished by turning the issue into a question with the intent to provide an answer.
A research study usually involves a group of people within an age group, gender, race, ethnic group, or individuals with the same specific issues or concerns.
Participating in these studies often involves answering a combination of interviews, tests, surveys, or performing experiments.
Besides on-site research studies, market research companies also use online research methods to find out customers’ feedback on various products and companies. The notable thing about online research studies is they are available even if you are not a part of the target audience.
Research studies can be either quantitative or qualitative.
Quantitative studies are the ones with latent and pre-planned answers. A questionnaire or survey with multiple-choice answers is a good example of this study.
Qualitative studies are a bit more intricate since they involve open-ended answers.
However, this type of study concludes up with better data. Focus groups and interviews are the methods used in qualitative studies.
Various Forms Of Paid University Research Studies
Based on the project and your employer’s demand, the research companies can conduct the research studies as:
Focus groups
Usually requires you to go to a research facility, sit with the researchers and fellow participants, and participate in a discussion.
In-Person Interviews
This requires you to discuss a topic with a researcher either in person, over the phone, or chat.
At-Home Interviews
Usually, the researcher visits your place for a one-on-one interview.
Answering Questionnaires
Companies may ask you to fill out a questionnaire either online or over the phone.
Mock Trial
Lawyers who evaluate potential reactions of jurors to evidence and arguments use this form of study before a case goes to trial.
Taste Experimenting
Typically involves consumers tasting products within a controlled environment and then sharing their opinion about the product.
Requirements For Paid University Research Studies
Most paid online research studies require you to be of a very specific demographic, usually filtered by age, location, occupation, annual salary, and so on.
However, there are standard minimum requirements that are uniform with most paid research companies. A few of them are:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have expert knowledge of the concerned field
- Well versed with a specific language
- A legal resident of your country
How Much Can You Earn From Paid University Research Studies?
The amount you earn from online paid research studies depends on:
1- Method Of The Research
Whether it’s a focus group, lengthy interview, or survey-based research, the pay varies. For example, surveys can pay ranging from $10 to $50 depending on the number of questions.
Focus group sessions range between $50 and $500 per session. Interviews can earn you somewhere from $50 to $300 for an hour.
2- Length And Complexity Of The Study
The lengthier the research, the more you stand to make. Some interviews only take an hour and may earn you $100. Some focus groups could take several sessions extending across several weeks and may earn you $1000.
Always remember, though there are plenty of studies available, you may not be eligible to participate in all. Since most studies are demographics specific or invite-only, you can’t rely on them for consistent income.
Best Ways To Get Paid For University Research Studies Online
It’s crucial to know that not all university research studies are available online. Some studies are done in-person, and you must live nearby or be able to commute comfortably to the research labs.
However, the following universities have extensive online research studies available on a wide range of topics.
1- Northwestern University Department Of Psychology
You mostly get focus group research studies and earn from $10 to $40 an hour.
They focus the researches on developing learning sessions to aid in brain development and enhance problem-solving skills.
2- Harvard University Psychology Study Pool
By joining Harvard’s Psychology Study Pool, you can earn from $10 to $25 an hour. You either get cash or gift cards.
The online studies are available for both Harvard students and guests.
3- Carnegie Mellon University
Here you can sign-up for online studies about personal beliefs, attitudes, decision-making, human judgment, interpersonal perceptions, and group performance.
You’ll earn $8-$10 for every 20 to 30 mins study.
4- Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School
For participating in an online survey or study, you can earn $16-$20 an hour.
You must have a PayPal or Amazon account to receive payments.
5- MIT Behavioral Research Lab
MIT offers both in-person and online research studies.
Eligibility requirements and payment vary from study to study, but participants usually earn $11 to $20 per hour.
6- University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business
You can get paid for online as well as in-person research studies.
If you are eligible, create an account, sign up for the studies you want to participate in, and get paid. You can make $15 to $20 per hour.
7- Purdue University
You can find various research studies throughout the year.
Many of them are online and pay somewhere between $10 and $500.
8- Stanford Graduate School of Business
Get paid up to $25 an hour for online research studies. If you are eligible, sign-up and complete a pre-screening form.
You also can’t take part in the same study more than once.
9- UCLA Anderson School of Management
Research studies here pay from $10 to $15 an hour. Besides online researches, they have in-lab and in-person studies.
If you’re interested to contribute to research on consumer behavior, organizational behavior, and judgment, this a must apply.
10- Boston University Behavioral Lab
Interested in human behavior and is willing to participate in online studies? If yes, you must join the researches here.
These studies pay between $10 and $20 an hour.
11- University Of Maryland Department of Psychology
Various university research studies are available here. All you need is to check your eligibility and create an account.
Payment may vary per project and range from $40 to $80.
12- University Of Nebraska-Lincoln
This college holds a wide range of research studies revolving around MRI research, the human brain, and behavior. Though most studies are for seniors, they also offer some for teens.
Pay can go as high as $80 per study.
13- American University Psychology Department
The research studies available here are mostly for topics like psychology, human behavior, and wellness.
You get an opportunity to earn up to $20 an hour for just filling out a form as a smoker’s first-hand experience during stressful situations.
14- Georgetown University Department of Psychology
The university regularly looks for people to take part in studies. Their research includes personality, memory, impulse control tests, and so on.
Average pay will run you about $10 per hour.
15- UCLA Semel Institute
UCLA offers a huge list of both on-site and online research studies.
The highest paying ones often need you to come into their offices for interviews. Online studies can pay $15 – $20 per hour.
16- Yale School of Management
Their lab often conducts surveys and lab studies, and you could participate and get paid.
Yale doesn’t give details on eligibility or payment on its website, but if you sign up, you can learn more about what’s available.
17- Harvard Business School
Research studies at Harvard generally last from 1 to 2 hours. You can earn $15 to $25 per hour.
Payments are higher for longer duration studies.
18- Vanderbilt University
The university pays people to participate in a variety of research studies about Psychological Sciences.
Research involves lab experiments and brain imaging on aspects of cognition, perception, and emotion. Payment varies as per the complexity of the study.
19- Columbia Business School
With the Columbia Business School, you will mostly do environmental studies.
You can have both focus groups and surveys. Payment varies per project.
20- The Department of Psychology at Chicago University
The university runs several psychological research studies. Students, staff members, or members of the community of all ages can take part.
They have specified no payment details on their website.
21- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Psychology
Here you receive payment for participating in studies that are conducted by members of the department.
Pay is not specified on their website.
22- The University of Texas at Austin Department of Psychology
The university regularly has open offers for paid research studies. They pay around $20 – $50 for an hour of participation.
23- UC Davis Psychology Department
UC Davis offers several research studies around the year. Both students and residents in the broader Davis area can participate in these studies.
Some studies pay cash, others offer gift cards, and some are unpaid. So, make sure you check the study description and payment information.
24- Arizona State University Department of Psychology
The university conducts research studies across its 40+ labs across the US. There are many studies available on a range of topics, such as psychology, memory, cognition, and learning.
Payment information isn’t present on the website.
25- University of Colorado Boulder
The university has studies available for both students and non-students. Payment varies from $50 to $200 per project.
26- Washington University
You can expect a lot of clinical trial studies that pay good money. Each study has different requirements, and the pay depends on the complexity of the study.
27- Kent’s Department Of Psychology
To see the list of available projects, you must sign-up and create an account. Pay varies as per the project length and complexity.
28- Kellogg School of Management
The school offers either a sweepstakes entry or cash payment for your participation, depending on how long the study is.
29- Johnson Cornell University
All Cornell students and staff are eligible to sign up to participate in lab and online studies. Payment varies depending on how long the study goes.
30- Brigham Young University
BYU offers a variety of online research studies. To see the list of projects, you must sign-up and create an account. Pay varies as per the study.
Can Paid University Research Studies Result In Significant Income?
Paid university research studies are legitimate ways to earn side cash only if you interpret them as a side hustle. Though odd research studies can earn you a few thousand, these can never replace your full-time income.
You must acknowledge, most research studies have precise demographic specifications, which means you’re not guaranteed a slot every time you apply. Moreover, you can’t participate in the same research study twice.
So, if you already have other income sources and have a lot of spare time, you can try your hands with some high-paying online research studies.
If you are interested and searching, hopefully, you will find the above-linked university research studies valuable. I will advise you to sign-up for quite a few studies to increase your chances of getting picked.
That’s it from me. Now, it’s your turn to try these paid university research studies and focus groups and share your feedback comments.
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out. I am glad to answer your queries!
Best of luck!
