User Research Programs: Microsoft Games, IBM, EBay, Etc.

Many people are into video games these days, so it is no surprise that the companies making them have user research programs.

http://www.mgsuserresearch.com/default.htm?MSID=6d30bc437fa143958adf48546936b1cf&c00=1

Microsoft makes computer games and Xbox games. The Game User Research Group at Microsoft Game Studios are working hard to improve games with feedback provided by customers and research volunteers. They do usability and psychological testing. If you want to sign up to be in the possible participant database and get emails notifying you when new studies are available, send an email with your name, email address, to GUR@microsoft.com, I would put your gaming experience in the email as well. You can also sign up at Microsoft.com.

http://blogs.msdn.com/usability_recruiting/default.aspx, http://blog.sonomapartners.com/2005/09/sign_up_for_mic.html

You can check out these two blog's for other Microsoft usability and user research programs. Microsoft does lab studies and focus groups, giving hands-on experiences with products Microsoft is developing or updating. Site visits are a possibility as well, this is where a usability engineer comes to you. Or, you can just sign up for the online surveys and focus groups, where you can participate at your convenience. All participants will receive software as gratuity completion of a study. For more information, you can contact uccoord@microsoft.com or go to Microsoft's website.

http://www-1.ibm.com/partnerworld/pwhome.nsf/weblook/pub_pwprogram_research.html

IBM has s user research panel too, but to join their panel you have to be an IT professional. The research in done by Keynote, keynote is an independent marketing research company that specializes in the high-tech industry. Joining IBM's panel will take about ten minutes, and participating in research projects are always optional. In addition, you can drop out of a study at any time; however is any compensation that was offered, you might not receive it. Most of the time compensation is gift certificates, cash is only offered for cretin studies. Many studies are done via web-based surveys.

Like Keynote, there are companies that do the research independently and you can sign up with them directly.

http://www.userworks.com/default.asp?page=participate, user works needs participates of all experience levels, including none. You could be testing products used for work or play. User works does offer compensation to participants. If you live in Siler Spring, Maryland, you can participate in lab studies at their office. However, they do conduct remote studies nation wide. One research session can last between one and three hours, and most participants are only needed for one session. You will be notified about all details and times for studies by phone. So give your real phone number when signing up. Fill out their electronic demographic form and you will be entered into their database of possible participants. To sign up by mail or fax call (301)-431-0500.

http://www.twrweb.com/, TechWise Research is another research company that you can sign up with, TechWise has been doing research studies since 2000. Compensation ranges from cash to being entered into drawings for prizes.

Prizes are stuff like PDA's, digital cameras, and color printers, etc... TechWise will be adding more programs to participate in some time next year, of course there is many available now.

http://pages.ebay.com/community/people/researchpanel/, even eBay has user research. They want both buyers and sellers. They do home or office visits, you can go to their office, or complete online surveys. You can sing up for all of one of these types of studies. Compensation can be up to fifty dollars.

When signing up for these studies, remember that you may not any invites right away. Invites are based on your profile and experience level, and there is no guarantee that you will even get an invite to any studies. All of these companies encourage you to tell your friends in hopes they will get more participants.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/373784/take_part_in_yahoo_google_and_adobe.html