Completing Screeners
How to answer screening questions to qualify for research studies.
Screening questions help researchers find the right participants for their studies. Here's how to approach them successfully.
What Are Screeners?
Screeners are qualification questions asked early in the application process. They help researchers:
- Verify you match the target audience
- Ensure study quality
- Filter for specific experiences or opinions
Types of Screener Questions
Demographic Questions
Basic information about you:
- Age range
- Location
- Occupation
- Industry
Experience Questions
Your background with specific topics:
- "Have you used [product] in the past 6 months?"
- "Do you manage a team of 5+ people?"
- "Have you made a purchase over $500 online?"
Opinion Questions
Your views on topics relevant to the study:
- "How satisfied are you with your current [solution]?"
- "Which of these best describes your approach to [topic]?"
Behavioral Questions
How you act in certain situations:
- "How often do you [activity]?"
- "When did you last [action]?"
Tips for Answering Screeners
Be Honest
This is the most important rule. Researchers design screeners to find specific people. If you don't genuinely qualify, you may:
- Be caught during the main study
- Have your submission rejected
- Risk account suspension for repeated dishonesty
Be Accurate
Think carefully before answering:
- Don't rush through questions
- Make sure you understand what's being asked
- Choose the answer that best reflects your reality
Be Consistent
Your screener answers should match:
- Your profile information
- Other answers within the same screener
- Your past submissions
Inconsistencies are red flags for researchers.
Read Carefully
Pay attention to:
- Time frames ("in the past 30 days" vs "ever")
- Specific quantities ("more than 5" vs "5 or more")
- Exclusionary phrases ("none of the above")
What Happens After Screening
If You Pass
You'll move to the main study tasks. Congratulations!
If You Don't Pass
You'll see a "screened out" message. This means:
- You didn't match the specific criteria
- It's not a judgment on you personally
- You can apply to other opportunities
Being screened out is normal. Researchers often have very specific requirements. Keep applying to studies that match your background.
How Screeners Are Evaluated
Auto-Graded
Some screeners are evaluated automatically based on your answers. You'll know immediately if you qualify.
Manual Review
Some screeners require researcher review. This takes longer but allows for more nuanced evaluation.
Quality Checks
Our system may flag inconsistent or suspicious responses for additional review.
FAQ
Why do I keep getting screened out?
Possible reasons:
- The studies have very specific requirements
- Your profile might be missing information
- You may be applying to studies outside your expertise area
Try applying to studies that closely match your background and ensure your profile is complete.
Can I retake a screener?
No, you cannot retake a screener for the same opportunity. Each opportunity allows one attempt.
Do screener responses affect future opportunities?
Your screener responses don't directly affect other opportunities. However, patterns of inconsistent answers may trigger quality reviews.
How long are screeners?
Screeners typically take 2-5 minutes. Some may be longer if the study requires detailed qualification.
What's Next?
After passing screening, you'll move to completing tasks.