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Compensating Research Participants

Summary

When compensating human research subjects/participants, there are certain guidelines that need to be followed. "Compensation" includes non-monetary rewards, such as course/extra credit.

Full Description

What counts as "compensation?"

Rewarding participants using monetary or non-monetary means can count as "compensation." Within the IRB application, all forms of compensation for participation need to be described. 

• Non-Monetary Example: Use of the SONA platform allows for researchers to "reward" students with course hours. If you offer extra credit or course hours for participation in a study, an alternative must be offered to earn the same amount of extra credit. 
  • Example Consent Language: You do not have to do this study. You can select a different study in SONA or ask your instructor for an alternative assignment for equal credit that takes the same amount of time and effort.
• Monetary Example: Participants will be given a $15 Amazon giftcard for completion of the entire study. 

Compensation Considerations

• Drawings: This is a "random" chance that a participant may receive compensation. In your IRB application and participant-facing documents, be sure to avoid "gambling" terms, such as "raffle," 
• Partial Credit/Compensation: If participants will receive "prorated" compensation based on length of participation, make sure to explain in the consent/protocol application the "rate" of compensation
  • Example: If you don't complete all three study visits, you will only receive compensation for the visits that were completed

Monetary Compensation and Accounts Payable

Accounts payable lists policies related to paying human participants.

PIs and researchers are responsible for reviewing and following all applicable payment policies. 

Acct. Payable: Human Subject Payments

• Financial Operations Procedure for Paying Human participants
  • Click "Direct Payments" and scroll to "Human Subjects Payments"
• Compensation must be documented using a payment log: Human Subject Payments Logs.
  • There are logs available for: 
    • Payment Log for Payments $50 or less
    • Payment Log for Payments from $51 to $100
    • Payment Log for Payments $101 or greater

If you have questions or experience difficulties accessing the documents, please contact Accounts Payable for assistance.