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.
Product tests at home: how in-home usage tests work
Product tests at home, known in research as in-home usage tests, are one of the most enjoyable ways to take part. A product arrives, you use it in everyday life, and you tell the researchers what you really think. Here is how it works.
Key points
- In-home usage tests, or IHUTs, send real or prototype products to your home so you can use them in daily life.
- You are chosen through a short pre-screener that checks you match the people the product is for.
- You follow simple instructions, then share feedback through surveys, diaries, photos or a short interview.
- Honest feedback, including "I did not like it", is exactly what researchers need.
What an in-home usage test is
Brands test new products long before they reach a shop. Some tests happen in research facilities, but many products are best judged at home: a shampoo after a week of use, a snack in a busy family kitchen, a vacuum cleaner on your own carpets.
An in-home usage test, or IHUT, sends the product to you. You use it the way you normally would, then report back. The product might be a finished item in plain packaging, a new version of something already on sale or an early prototype.
How you are chosen
It usually starts with a short pre-screener. The questions check that you are the kind of person the product is for. A new dog food needs dog owners. A skincare product might need people with a particular skin type. A cooking sauce might need people who cook dinner most nights.
If you match, you receive an invitation that explains:
- what kind of product it is, in general terms
- how long the test lasts, often one to four weeks
- what you need to do, such as surveys or a diary
- the reward for completing the test
- whether you keep the product or return it
Nothing is sent until you accept. Make sure your delivery address in your profile is current.
What arrives
Test products usually come in plain or coded packaging, so your opinion is not influenced by a brand name. You might receive one product or two versions to compare, each marked with a code such as "Product 427". Instructions explain how and when to use each one.
Read everything before you start. Instructions sometimes ask you to use products in a set order, at a set time of day or for a minimum number of days. Following them carefully keeps the test fair.
What you are asked to do
Every test is different, but tasks often include:
- A first-impressions survey when the product arrives, before you use it.
- Using the product as you normally would for the set period.
- A diary with short entries after each use, often on your phone.
- Photos or short videos of the product in use, if requested.
- A final survey or interview about your overall experience.
Some tests ask for feedback from others in your household, such as children trying a new cereal. Any task involving children always needs a parent's permission.
Staying safe
Most test products are ordinary household items, but safety comes first:
- Check ingredients and allergens on every label before use, and do not use a product if anything worries you.
- Patch test skincare and haircare products if the instructions suggest it.
- Keep products away from children and pets unless the test is designed for them.
- Stop using a product if you have any reaction or problem, and tell the research team straight away.
The research team takes any problem seriously and will tell you what to do next.
Keeping it confidential
Products being tested are often not yet on sale. You will usually be asked to agree not to share photos or details online, and not to give the product to others outside your home. This protects the company's ideas and keeps the test fair.
Returning or keeping the product
Some tests let you keep the product. Others ask you to return it, especially expensive or prototype items, using a prepaid label. Return instructions are included with the delivery. Your reward is normally confirmed once all tasks, and any return, are complete.
Why honest feedback matters most
It is natural to want to be kind about a product someone sent you for free. But polite answers do not help anyone. If the product leaked, smelled odd, was hard to open or simply was not as good as what you normally buy, say so, and explain why. Clear, specific criticism is often the most useful part of a test.
Common questions
Do I have to pay for anything?
No. Products and delivery are free, and return postage is prepaid when a return is needed. Never pay a fee to take part in a product test.
What if I cannot finish the test?
Tell the research team as soon as possible. Life happens, and they would rather know early so they can plan. You may receive a partial reward depending on the study.
Can I choose which products I test?
You can decline any invitation. Keeping your profile up to date helps you receive tests for products you actually use.
