1. Do I have to pay taxes on the money I earn from studies?
No, unless otherwise specified, all studies are tax-exempt. This means they will not tax you when they pay you (essentially tax free!) However, as usual you are ultimately responsible for reporting your income to the IRS and figuring out the amount of taxes you may owe.
2. What type of study is right for me?
There are two general types of studies. The first type of study is open to all participants, and is usually administered by Graduate and PhD students at a University. These studies are a great source of “fast money” as they typically last under two hours and pay around $8/$15 an hour. These studies are ideal for college students who need a little extra cash and have free time to participate in between their classes or on-campus activities. Many prefer these studies because the tasks are generally very simple and convenient for users. It is important to note that these studies fill up very quick, so make sure to check for updates on the SONA (or related site) every day or so.
The second type of study is geared toward those looking to make a significant amount of money over a period of time. The best source for these studies are usually at a medical institution, including NIH and Walter Reed Medical Center. These studies require a greater time investment, and often involve medicinal component where the participant is administered a FDA approved drug. Additionally, these studies often require a preliminary phone interview to determine a participant’s qualifications. These studies, although time consuming, have a large payoff- some people have made up to $100,000 a year completing studies!
3. I am interested in long-term studies with a high-payoff. What steps should I take?
· Become a healthy volunteer at NIH: NIH requires all participants to enroll in the healthy volunteer program in order to participate. This program requires a very basic phone interview, followed by an appointment to administer a urine test, as well as a general health exam. To enroll or learn more about this program, check out http://www.cc.nih.gov/participate/studies/healthy_vol_prg.shtml
· Research studies that interest you: Not all studies are made for everyone. Some studies involve staying awake for 78 hours, while others involve non-FDA approved drug injections. No matter the payoff, you should always research studies, read over the debriefing packets, and ask the researcher any questions you may have. Keep in mind that there are literally thousands of studies, so don’t commit to any study before careful review
· Know how to pass the “preliminary interview”: Many potential participants are eliminated from a study in the preliminary phone interview. This is because they provided an answer contrary to the “ideal candidate” that the researcher is seeking. The best way to overcome this issue is to carefully research the study and understand who the researcher is looking to study, and what conclusions the researcher is trying to reach through this study
4. Are these studies safe?
In compliance with the federal policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, all studies must provide the following information to participants:
· Requirements for assuring compliance by research institutions
· Requirements for researchers' obtaining and documenting informed consent
· Requirements for Institutional Review Board (IRB) membership, function, operations, review of research, and record keeping.
Additionally, participants must sign a consent form, which will detail study procedures and potential risks. Review this form carefully to ensure that the study you are participating in is safe.
5. Can I still make money and not do drugs?
Yes! When searching for studies, be sure to look for “non-invasive” studies.
6. I am currently taking drugs but still want to participate. Am I eligible?
Yes. However, you will likely be drug tested for NIH studies, so refrain from taking any drugs a few days prior to the study.
