How to Find Paid Psychology Research Study Opportunities

A scientist conducting an experiment.

Participating as a volunteer in psychology research studies can be an interesting and simple way to earn some extra money. Hospitals or universities need human subjects to carry out their research, and are willing to compensate volunteers for their help. Use these tips to find legitimate psychology study opportunities near you.

Instructions

1. Browse Craigslist or another classified ad listing for initial leads. Many university and hospital research studies are promoted this way -- but not all, so don't despair if you can't find many studies you qualify for.

2. Check with local research universities for more openings. Not every study is publicized on Craigslist, even though it might be open to the public. In Boston, for instance, check with Harvard and MIT first, as they run many studies open to the public, allowing those in their target demographic group to participate for pay.

3. Next, determine whether local hospitals need paid volunteers for research studies. As in the university case, it can pay to dig beyond the Craigslist ads to discover all of the studies for which you might be eligible.

4. Try online studies or surveys. These might be advertised online through a classified ad site or through the research organization's site itself. Be sure to verify that such studies are legitimate (and are affiliated with a legitimate research project) before providing any personal data.

5. Remember that participation is voluntary. If you feel uncomfortable carrying out any of the researchers' instructions, you are always allowed to stop participating.

Tips & Warnings

• Verify that the study is legitimate before agreeing to provide payment or other personal information.

• Feel free to stop participating in a study if you do not feel comfortable with the task.