Focus groups
What is a pre-screener? A plain guide to study invitations
Pre-screeners decide who gets invited to focus groups, interviews and product tests. Here is how they work, and how you are rewarded either way.
Diary studies: how multi-day research works and how to keep up
A diary study follows you through everyday life for days or weeks, capturing moments a single survey would miss. They are flexible, interesting and usually well rewarded. Here is what to expect and how to make it easy on yourself.
Key points
- A diary study asks you to record short entries about a part of your life, such as meals, shopping or app use, over several days or weeks.
- Entries are usually quick: a few questions, a photo, a short video or a note on your phone.
- Consistency matters more than length. Small, regular entries are more useful than long catch-up sessions.
- Rewards are usually paid when you complete the full study, and sometimes in stages.
What a diary study is
Some things are hard to remember accurately in a single survey. What did you eat for lunch last Tuesday? How many times did you open a banking app this week? How did you feel when your delivery was late?
Diary studies solve this by asking you to record moments as they happen. Over several days or weeks, researchers build a detailed picture of real routines, decisions and feelings. Companies use diary studies to understand things like cooking habits, commuting, skincare routines, media use, shopping trips and how people get used to a new product.
How it works
- Screening and invitation. A short pre-screener checks that you fit. The invitation explains the length, the daily tasks and the reward.
- Onboarding. You install an app or open a web link, complete a short introduction task and learn how to submit entries.
- Daily or event-based entries. Some studies ask for an entry at a set time each day. Others ask you to make an entry whenever something happens, such as every time you buy coffee.
- Check-ins. A researcher may comment on your entries or ask a follow-up question.
- Final task. Many studies end with a longer reflection, survey or short interview.
What entries look like
Entries are usually short. Typical tasks include:
- answering three to five quick questions
- taking a photo of a meal, a shelf or a product in use
- recording a 30 to 60 second video describing what happened
- writing a few sentences about how you felt
Most entries take five to ten minutes. The invitation tells you roughly how much time to expect each day.
How to keep up
Set a reminder
Choose a time that fits your routine, such as after dinner, and set a phone alarm. Many diary apps send reminders too, but your own alarm at the right moment works better.
Record in the moment
If the study is about events, such as shopping trips, make the entry straight away or at least take a photo and a quick note. Details fade fast, and fresh entries are more accurate.
Keep it simple
You do not need perfect photos or polished writing. Natural, honest entries are exactly what researchers want.
Be specific
"Lunch was fine" tells researchers little. "I grabbed a sandwich at the station because I had no time to cook, and it was more expensive than I expected" tells them a lot.
Missed a day? Tell them. Life gets busy. If you miss an entry, add it as soon as you can and mention it was late, or message the research team. Honesty about gaps is better than invented catch-up entries.
Privacy in photos and videos
Diary studies often happen in your home, so take care with what appears in photos and videos:
- avoid showing faces of other people, especially children, unless the study asks and they agree
- keep letters, bills and screens with personal information out of shot
- do not record people in public without their knowledge
- check the background for anything you would rather keep private
Researchers use your photos and videos only for the study, but it is always better not to include what is not needed.
Rewards and completion
Diary studies take commitment, so rewards are usually higher than for surveys. They are often paid when you complete all required entries, and sometimes in stages, for example after week one and at the end. If a study has a minimum number of entries, the invitation will say so before you accept.
If something comes up and you cannot continue, tell the research team as early as possible. They would much rather know than find out from silent days.
Is a diary study right for you?
Diary studies suit people who enjoy reflecting on their routines, are comfortable using a phone app and can spare a few minutes each day. If your schedule is unpredictable for the coming weeks, it is fine to decline and wait for the next one.
Common questions
Do I need a smartphone?
Most diary studies use a phone app because it makes photos and quick entries easy. Some allow computer access. The invitation always lists what you need.
Can I edit an entry after I submit it?
Some apps allow edits for a short time. If not, add a new note explaining the correction.
Will someone read every entry?
Usually yes. Researchers read entries closely, which is why short, honest and specific entries are so valuable.
