Video discussion groups
Small moderated groups where you talk through a topic with other participants over a video call. Usually two to three hours.
Paid research studies
Get paid for your honest opinion.
Informed Research runs online discussion groups and studies on behalf of confidential clients. Every session happens by video meeting. If you join our panel, we'll invite you when a paid study matches your background.
- Flat-rate pay for every completed study. $125 for two-hour sessions, $200 for three-hour sessions
- Nothing is ever sold to you, and joining the panel is free
- 100% online. Join from home, with evening and weekend sessions available
MODERATOR
There are no right or wrong answers here. We're paying for what you actually think.
PARTICIPANT
So I can just say I disagree with the whole thing?
MODERATOR
That might be the most useful thing you say all night. Tell me why.
How it works
From sign-up to payment in five steps
Join the panel
Tell us about yourself, complete a short screening questionnaire, and verify your identity with a photo of your government-issued ID. About five minutes.
Get matched
When a study fits your profile, we'll reach out with the date, length, format, and pay before you commit to anything.
Check in
Join a few minutes early. We confirm on camera that you match the ID you provided at enrollment, then the discussion starts.
Share your views
Join the moderated video session from home and talk through the questions. Your opinion is the product, so there's nothing to prepare.
Get paid
Compensation is confirmed in writing before the session and paid promptly after you participate.
Study types
Ways to participate
Every study takes place online by video meeting. All you need is a quiet room, a camera, and a reliable connection. Your invitation spells out exactly what's involved before you say yes.
Day-long online studies
Occasional longer sessions where a group reviews material and discusses it in depth over video, with scheduled breaks. Higher pay.
Surveys & questionnaires
Shorter written studies you complete on your own schedule, often before or after a group session.
Mixed formats
Some studies combine formats, such as a questionnaire before a group or a short written follow-up after.
What to expect
Plain dealing, both directions
Research only works when participants can speak freely. Here's the deal we make with everyone who joins one of our sessions.
- You'll know the terms up front.Date, length, format, and compensation are confirmed in writing before every session. Every session is online, so there's never travel involved.
- Our clients stay confidential.We don't reveal who commissioned a study before, during, or after. Keeping the sponsor blind is standard research practice. It keeps your feedback unbiased and it's part of what clients pay for.
- Confidentiality goes both ways.When you enroll you accept a confidentiality agreement covering session content, and we treat your identity and responses as confidential in return.
- No sales, ever.We will never try to sell you anything, ask for payment, or request account or banking details beyond what's needed to pay you.
- You can decline anything.Every question, every study, at any point. Declining never affects future invitations.
FAQ
Common questions
Who can join the panel?
Panel membership is open to United States citizens who are 18 or older and live in the US. Our studies require citizenship, so you'll confirm it when you sign up and verify your identity with a government-issued photo ID as part of enrollment.
Why do you require a photo ID?
Two reasons. First, our studies are strictly limited to United States citizens who are 18 or older, and the ID lets us confirm you are who you say you are and that you meet the age requirement. Second, it keeps the panel honest by preventing duplicate profiles and people posing as someone else, which protects the value of every real participant's opinion. Your ID is used only for verification. It is never shared with clients, and we delete it once you're verified. To be clear, if you are not a US citizen or you are under 18, you are not eligible to join, and an ID that shows otherwise will end enrollment.
How much do studies pay?
Most studies pay a flat rate based on length. Two-hour sessions pay $125 and three-hour sessions pay $200. Longer or more specialized studies pay more. The exact amount is stated in your invitation and confirmed in writing before you commit.
How do I get paid?
We pay by Venmo or PayPal. You choose which when you complete a study, and payment is sent to the account you provide. We will never ask for your Venmo or PayPal password, and we don't need your banking details.
Who are your clients? What are the studies for?
Our clients are confidential, and we don't disclose the purpose behind a specific study. This is deliberate. If participants knew who commissioned the research, it would color their answers, and unbiased answers are the entire point. What we can promise is that your role is always the same. You give your honest reactions to what's presented.
Do I need any special knowledge or preparation?
No. Studies are about your genuine reactions as a member of the public. If a study needs a particular background, the screening questions will cover it before you're invited.
What do I need to join a session?
A computer or tablet with a working camera and microphone, a reliable internet connection, and a quiet, private room for the length of the session. Your camera stays on during group discussions, and your invitation will include a simple link to join. There is no special software to buy. At check-in we briefly confirm on camera that you match the ID you provided at enrollment.
Why do you ask screening questions before a study?
Each study needs a particular mix of participants, and some studies must exclude people with certain jobs, affiliations, or connections to the subject matter. Answering screeners honestly is essential. It's also the fastest way to get matched to studies you'll actually qualify for. The screening questionnaire is part of joining the panel, so most of it is covered before your first invitation.
What happens to what I say in a session?
Sessions are typically recorded, and your responses are shared with the client as part of the research. Your feedback is used for research purposes. We treat your personal information as confidential and don't sell it.
Is this legitimate? How do I know it's not a scam?
A fair question, because this industry attracts imitators. Here are three things to hold us to. We never ask you for money. Compensation terms always come in writing before a session. And you can always reach a real person at the contact address below before accepting any invitation.
Join the panel
Five minutes now, paid studies later
Joining takes two quick steps. Tell us about yourself, then complete the screening questionnaire, and your enrollment request is sent when you finish. Panel membership is limited to United States citizens age 18 and over. Joining doesn't commit you to anything. You decide, invitation by invitation, whether to take part, and since everything runs online you can participate from anywhere in the country.