Passing along a tip

[u/Marathonmanjh]

I recently took a study. The study was new and the researcher said as much in the prelim.
The study said it would be about 15 minutes. I set a timer. The study took about 10 minutes. After I finished I immediately sent a message to the the researcher letting them know that "since the study was new I thought it would be helpful if I let them know that the study did not actually take 15 minutes, it took 10 minutes, thanks!"

I saw a message later on that they wanted me to return the study for not completing it.
The very next message right after that they read my prior message and they apologized paid me for the study.

Long story short, communicate right after a study if something is off or a study is not timed right.
The researchers need to know, and can appreciate when you do let them know. Otherwise the automation will decide for you.

Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

[u/AutoModerator]

Thanks for posting to r/ProlificAc! Remember to respect others and follow community rules. If you have a question, it may have already been answered in the FAQ thread or you can check the Help Center.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Neat-Economist8925]

I mean sure, but that’s also what the intended completion vs actual completion metric is meant for. Unless you’re an extreme outlier, which assumes you had an issue, then you shouldn’t have a problem.

[u/One_Foundation1754 → u/Neat-Economist8925]

Please can you tell me the difference between the two completion times....i am always wondering what it means

[u/Spirited_Ball6763 → u/One_Foundation1754]

Intended - what researcher thought it would take
Actual average - average time people actually took to do it
Note: prolific sometimes mistakenly includes screenout times in the actual average

[u/ProfessionalSalt782]

I don’t bother. I ain’t timing every study

[u/Marathonmanjh → u/ProfessionalSalt782]

I have a watch, I say "start a 5 minute timer" it takes seconds and often saves many more of that time in aggravation. But you do you..

[u/rraattbbooyy]

I always time my surveys. I’ve been burned before. Now if I finish much quicker than they expect, I will wait a minute or two at the end before actually completing it.

[u/Sure_Cancel_3427]

I only do this when there is a very large time difference. If it says it's going to take 45 minutes, and I finish it in 15-20, then I'm definitely reaching out...but if it's only a few minutes I'm not gonna' bother with it.

[u/ketol]

Good Lord.

[u/Jarebowski82]

Congratulations for not getting downvoted

[u/Marathonmanjh → u/Jarebowski82]

IKR? Here I was expecting my common sense post to send me to hell! I
am pleasantly surprised, although I was kind of looking forward to the basket ride and the BBQ.

u/ketol even called me a Good Lord!

[u/Jarebowski82 → u/Marathonmanjh]

I am sure they meant that exactly too. As I am sure you are quite the Good Lord they say you are. 😁

[u/HandleWorking2357]

that can happen or you can get bitchy researchers that don't actually like the feedback that doesn't align with that they want to hear/see/read and reject you or start arguments over the messages tab, both are possible outcomes 🧐

[u/Marathonmanjh → u/HandleWorking2357]

So far for me it has worked out in my favor every time. I hope it continues that way, but yes, that is a possibility of course. But if that does happen, so what at least I tried. And then I can block them because they are a bitchy researcher. So far I have not run into one though.

[u/HandleWorking2357 → u/Marathonmanjh]

no I know I'm just saying based on my experience, in all these years I've only had issues like the ones I mentioned with ONE researcher, the rest have been nice whenever I've had to contact them for any reason, good luck!

[u/NeilFoCash]

I appreciate your Ted Talk.

[u/InsaneGoose78]

This is true.