Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Research Helper are a research agency based in Leeds and are part of CDS, an agency that enables strategic change in organisations and businesses to create and build better services to meet the evolving needs of customers, employees and citizens. We provide research support services to organisations across the UK – from big-name brands to public sector bodies, including government departments and the NHS.

Our job is to find people to share their thoughts and experiences for research projects.

We do lots of different types of research, from telephone interviews to in-person research, focus groups and more. There are lots of ways for you to get involved with research and have your say!

Find out more about the research we do.

Sign up to become a Research Helper and we’ll send you information about paid research projects. You can also apply to take part in a current research project.

• Complete the on-page form, providing your contact details.
• When you have completed the form, click the [Apply] button.
• After you click the [Apply] button, you will receive an email from Research Helper asking you to verify your email address; by clicking the button in the email you opt-in to receive information from us.
  • don’t forget to check your email inbox, click the button in the email to verify your email address with us.
  • if we do not receive a verification email from you, your interest is not logged, and you will not receive information from Research Helper.
• When we receive your verification email (this email is sent to you after you complete the form and click the [Apply] button):
  • your interest is logged, and you are on our panel of Research Helpers.
  • we will send you an email when the research project is happening, to check if you still want to take part, when you are available, and if you are able to take part in the research session (also known as a screener email). 

Read more about taking part in research.

It depends on the project, the type of research we’re doing and what we need to find out. Usually, a research session will last anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour. We’ll always let you know before you take part in any research how long the session will be.

Sessions usually take place between 9:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. But we can be flexible to run sessions in the evenings or at weekends if required. The team will help find the best slot available to you when booking you into a research session.

Our research sessions are very relaxed and informal. You can also take part in research from the comfort of your own home. Remote sessions take place over the telephone or online via your computer or smartphone.

Find out more about taking part in research.

The amount we pay for research depends on the project and the type of research we’re running.

Most of our projects pay a minimum of £40 for your time.

Research projects are usually between 15 minutes and 1 hour depending on the project, type of research, and what we find out. 

On average we pay £50 for 50 minutes of your time. 

No, you do not need to travel to take part.

• We conduct lots of different types of research, remotely (online from the comfort of your own home) and in person (at a location near you).
• There are lots of ways to get involved in paid market research sessions without having to travel to a venue.

However, face-to-face in-person research needs to take place in a venue.

• In this case, we invited you to take part in a location near you or to come into our dedicated research facility in Leeds city centre.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any childcare facilities. You will need to arrange your own childcare when you attend your session.

Absolutely. In fact, we need a broad mix of people to be part of our Research Helper community. We think it’s important to include everyone in research. Especially people who may not have great digital skills or access to gadgets. This helps us ensure that websites, products, and digital services work for everyone.

Find out more about our commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

Definitely. In fact, we are building a truly inclusive community of Research Helpers – people who want to help us ensure things work for everyone! We are experts in accessibility and assistive technology testing and have lots of experience in running research with people with disabilities and additional needs.

We work with a variety of businesses, so we’re looking for people from all walks of life, experiences, age groups, and abilities to take part in research. We select participants based on their suitability and availability for a project.

Find out more about our commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

We often get hundreds of applicants for a project where we only need a small number of people to take part. 

This means that, unfortunately, not everyone who applies will be picked for the research project. We’ll always try and let you know as soon as we can whether you’ve been selected to take part.

Please keep trying!

• We are always looking for people, we have a lot of different projects happening throughout the year.
• Keep an eye out for upcoming research projects; check your email and our current projects page.
• We post regularly about upcoming projects on our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Every research project we do has a specific profile of people we need to find, so the more we know about you, the better chance you have of being selected.

• Make sure your profile is up to date and correct so we can keep sending you information about upcoming research projects we think you could be right for. 
• We will contact you from time to time and ask new questions that will help us to find the research projects that are right for you.

At the time you apply to become a Research Helper, a verification email is sent to the email address you provided in the form.

You should have received an email from Research Helper asking you to verify your email address; by clicking the button in the email you opt-in to receive information from us.

• Please check your email inbox, junk, or spam folders too.
• Click the button in the email to verify your email address with us.
• If we do not receive a verification email from you, your interest is not logged, and you will not receive information from Research Helper.

If you haven't received your verification email, or you are having problems, please contact us and a member of the team will be happy to help you.

We understand it's ok, sometimes you can just change your mind.

• We want people to enjoy taking part in research, and our friendly team aims to make the sessions as relaxed and fun as they can but if you no longer want to part, don't worry it's fine. 

And, we know sometimes things happen outside your control, and situations change, so you need to change your plans.

If you can’t attend a research session you have signed up for, please Contact Us as soon as possible.

If you no longer wish to be a Research Helper, you can unsubscribe here.

Please contact us to amend your information at any time.

• We will email you quarterly to check your information and to make sure you still want to be on our panel, and mailing list, to receive information from Research Helper. 
• If we don’t hear back from you, we’ll delete your profile and remove you from our database.

If you no longer wish to be a Research Helper, you can unsubscribe here.

We have systems, processes, and procedures in place to keep your details safe.

Your information is protected by General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

All the information you give us is treated confidentially and we will never pass your information to any third parties.

• You can click this link to read our Research Participant Privacy Policy. 
• The information you provide when taking part in research sessions is anonymous.
• We promise to keep all your information safe. 
• Our Research Helpers always tell us how respectful and trustworthy we are, read what our Research Helpers say.

We appreciate that situations and circumstances change. If you want to be removed from our database, please unsubscribe or contact us and we will make sure you are removed.

We understand that occasionally you may have a query or a concern which you would like to raise. You can contact us by email info@research-helper.co.uk or telephone 0113 350 1767.

If you would like further information, please read our privacy policy and terms and conditions.