Can you really get paid for your opinions?

Diverse people selected to take part in UK market research surveys, interviews and focus groups

Yes - people in the UK can be rewarded for sharing their opinions and experiences through legitimate market and social research. The important distinction is that paid research is usually occasional participation, not a guaranteed wage or a reliable daily income stream.

Organisations need to understand the people affected by their decisions. Researchers therefore recruit members of the public to answer surveys, join interviews, take part in focus groups or test ideas.

The reward is a thank-you for the time and effort involved. In some projects that may mean points or a gift card; in others it may be a set payment for a longer interview or group discussion.

Online surveys - usually the quickest format, with structured questions you answer in your own time.
Focus groups - small-group discussions where a researcher explores a topic in more depth.
One-to-one interviews - longer conversations about your experiences, views or use of a particular service.
Other research activities - some projects may involve online communities, diary tasks, testing materials or follow-up activities.

It can be a useful way to earn occasional rewards, but it should not be treated as guaranteed income. Research opportunities depend on the studies being run and the types of participants those studies need.

You may fit several projects in one period and none in another. A legitimate panel should be open about that rather than promising constant work or unrealistic earnings.

Profile information helps researchers find people who may be relevant to a study. For example, a project might need people from a particular area, people who use a certain service, parents, renters, carers or people with a specific type of experience.

That matching is one reason paid research is different from a normal job: you are invited when your experiences are useful to a particular project.

For many people the appeal is a combination of the reward and the chance to influence decisions. Your views may contribute to research about housing, health, education, charities, public services or other areas that affect everyday life.

If you prefer research that goes beyond clicking through high-volume surveys, panels that offer interviews and focus groups can be a better fit.

Can I make a full-time income from paid research?

Paid research is usually best treated as occasional extra money or rewards, not a replacement for regular employment.

Do I have to pay to join a research panel?

A legitimate participant panel should not charge you a fee simply to join and be considered for research.

Can I choose which studies I take part in?

Yes. Participation should be optional, and you should be able to decide whether each opportunity is right for you.

Heard is free to join and gives members the chance to take part in paid surveys, focus groups and interviews when suitable research becomes available.