Washington University Research Participant Registry

Participating in research studies is quite possibly my favorite hobby. It’s a great way to contribute to science and to potentially help others. Some studies even offer a small compensation in exchange for your time and effort.
Perhaps selfishly, I look for simple, non-​invasive studies with very little risk. For example, I currently am not interested in any research that requires an overnight stay or taking a new, experimental medication. Consequently, I tend to participate in studies that involve mostly surveys, discussions of my thoughts and opinions, and computer tasks.
Each study will have certain eligibility criteria that you must meet. For example, you might need to be a female within a certain age group. Or, you might need to have a certain disorder or ailment (e.g., depression, eczema).
If study participation sounds like something of interest to you, let me give you some information about the Washington University Research Participant Registry (RPR).
–Getting Started–
There are a couple of ways to get involved in research studies at Washington University.
1. Visit the RPR website.
Here, you’ll find answers to questions you might have regarding your participation in studies. You’ll also have the option to register as a member of the RPR. Registration will involve providing information about yourself, your health, and your current medications. Your information will be used to match you with studies for which you are eligible. You then can indicate whether or not you are interested in participating in the studies to which you’ve been matched.
2. Follow the RPR on Facebook.
The RPR Facebook page often posts descriptions of current studies, along with the information of the person you should contact if you would like to participate.
I have had the most success with the RPR Facebook page. I check it from time to time, and I then call or email the person of contact for the studies that interest me.
I have not had much success with the RPR website. Instead of providing the study contact information to you, the website provides your information to those conducting the studies. Despite indicating my interest in several studies over the past three years, I’ve been contacted by researchers only twice. If you are matched to a study that really interests you, you can always call the RPR for contact information. I just wish they provided that info from the get-​go.
–What to Expect–
Regardless of who contacts whom, the first step of participation typically is a screening. This often is conducted over the phone to determine your eligibility. However, some studies require an in-​person visit to determine eligibility.
The study likely will take place at either the Danforth Campus or at the Medical School. If it’s a psychology study, it probably will be at the psychology building off of Forsyth. If it’s a medical study, it should be in the Kingshighway area.
–Risks–
If you agree to participate in a study, you’ll sign an informed consent form. At this time, any risks involved in the study should be disclosed to you. Risks will vary depending on the nature of the study. However, one risk of all studies is the possibility that your personal information could be disclosed to unintended parties. Researchers (should) make every effort to ensure that does not happen, but it is still a possibility.
–Benefits–
Benefits also will vary. There may be no benefits for you. The only benefit might be the aforementioned intrinsic satisfaction of contributing to science and helping others.
–Payment–
Some studies will pay you via cash or check. Some will pay in gift cards. Some will not pay at all. Payment should be discussed with you during the informed consent process.
–My Experience and Rating–
I have participated in several studies over the past three years. It’s been a great experience, and as far as I know, my personal information has been kept confidential. That’s more than I can say about my previous health insurance company.
Direct benefits to me have been small but are worth noting. I’ve received the following:
Free pregnancy test (Not pregnant!)
Free pap smear (Not abnormal!)
Free psychological evaluation (Not psychotic!)
As indicated, payment has varied by study. For example, you might receive a $ 20 gift card for a 90-​minute study. You can get an idea of what you might be paid, if anything, by browsing the RPR Facebook postings.
Although I wish the RPR website let you browse current studies and contact the researchers directly, it’s still a site worth using. I just find their Facebook page to be more useful, and that’s why I’m deducting a star. They have a site with the sole purpose of connecting people with research studies. Why should I have to call them or visit another site – Facebook, nonetheless – to get in touch with an experimenter?