Deciding how much to pay research participants isn’t just a budgeting task, it’s a strategic decision that directly affects the quality of your data. And it can be tricky to nail down! It's one of the most frequently asked questions in our Research Advisors field. 

Underpay and you risk low participation and rushed responses, as folks don’t want to go above and beyond if it’s not worth it. Overpay, and you stretch your resources unnecessarily. Striking the right balance is key—and our Incentive Advisor is here to help.

This tool offers quick, research-informed incentive recommendations tailored to your specific study. 

You tell it the basics: 

• How long the study takes
• The format (live interview, diary, survey, etc.)
• How complex the tasks are
• Who you’re targeting (e.g., general consumers vs. professionals or niche groups)

With all that input, The Incentive Advisor then suggests a fair and motivating cash incentive range.

Try the Incentive Advisor now

What’s behind the recommendations?

Recommendations are grounded in commonly accepted best practices from UX and market research communities. For example:

• Time-based benchmarks suggest $1–$2 per minute for high-engagement tasks and $0.50–$1.00 for simpler ones.
  
  
• Complexity bonuses account for studies that require more cognitive load or effort (10-50% increase).
  
  
• Demographic modifiers adjust for harder-to-reach or higher-income participants.
  
  
• Sensitivity adjustments are included when studies touch on emotional or personal topics.
  
  
• Multi-session bonuses (15-20%) help retain participants over time.
  
  

This layered approach means you get a recommendation in a short amount of time that is also thoughtful.

Why it matters on Dscout

Dscout gives you complete control over participant incentives. You can choose what to offer, and how to fine-tune compensation based on your goals and your audience. 

Whether you're running a short survey or a two-week diary study, the Incentive Advisor can help you make informed, participant-friendly choices.

A note of caution

While the Incentive Advisor is built on solid best practices, it’s still an automated tool. Its recommendations are not reviewed by humans, and they may not be suited to every circumstance. 

As with any AI tool, it’s still important to use your own judgment and discretion on what is appropriate. While the advisor will provide a good starting point, it's always good practice to avoid taking AI-generated results at face value. Question and engage in dialogue to hone the recommendation for your situation.

If you’re unsure or working with a unique audience or topic, consult one of Dscout’s Research Advisors. They’re experts in participant engagement and can help validate your approach. 

Best practices to remember for participant incentives

• Match the reward to the request: Respect your participants’ time and effort.
  
  
• Consider your audience: It may be trickier to get hold of a doctor, for example. Consider upping the incentive to get their attention.
  
  
• Don’t skimp on sensitive topics: Higher incentives can help participants feel more comfortable and fairly compensated.
  
  
• Scale for multi-day or complex studies: Add a completion bonus or scale the reward.
  

Wrapping it up

Paying the right incentive isn’t just fair, it’s strategic. Trying the Incentive Advisor the next time you’re launching a project on Dscout can be a fast, research-based way to set up your team for success.

As always, use your discretion when using AI tools and don’t automatically take all recommendations at face value. Consult with other people on your team to validate your approach. 

You may also like…

• Roundup: Your Multi-Use Starter Pack for Applying GenAI to UX
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• How UXRs Can Apply Thoughtful Friction to Guide GenAI Use