[Sigia-l] Alternative compensation for usability participants?

[Todd Warfel]

We recently did some testing for a company and offered iPod Shuffles  
for compensation. We were recruiting mid-senior level people at  
financial and pharma companies.

We initially were going to use an external recruiting company, but  
they wouldn't use the Shuffle for compensation. They said "in our  
experience, this level of participant will only want cash. And  
typically $200-250." Well, we didn't buy it. We were pretty sure that  
these people would be more than fine with receiving a cool gadget  
like an iPod Shuffle for an hour of their time.

So, we did the recruiting ourselves. We received a list of companies  
(existing clients) from our client. We called and worked our way up  
the ranks until we got the the correct person. Did our pitch, offered  
the Shuffle as the incentive, and let them know they'd get car  
service to and from (it's in Manhatten, so travel is difficult), and  
they were more than happy to sign up. In fact, one person said he  
wouldn't be interested when we said he'd be compensated (thinking it  
was cash). When we told him he'd get an iPod Shuffle, or anyone else  
in his department that wanted to participate, his attitude totally  
changed. He actually responded with "Oh, why didn't you say that  
sooner. I've got five guys over here that would love to do it."

BTW, it's important to know that we were recruiting 15 people plus 3  
floaters for this gig. It was a rather large job.

On biasing their input... well, that's one of the reasons why we  
always to a moderator score separate from the participant's score.

On Jun 27, 2005, at 7:05 PM, Anthony Hempell wrote:
OK, but I'm more interested in the issue of bias.  I would think there's
more potential for participant bias if we're offering the company's
product for compensation, as opposed to cash, which seems somewhat arm's
length.


Cheers!

Todd R. Warfel
Partner, Design & Usability Specialist
Messagefirst | making products & services easier to use
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