Prolific Academic Survey Alerts

[Deleted User]

I have had exactly the same problem as you, elsien and Value.  The Researcher replied to me and said that it was because my Prolific ID had letters and numbers.  He amended it but, subsequently, my Prolific ID was never accepted. In addition to this, the Robot box kept 'unticking' and would not accept that I  am a human and not a Robot.

I know Prolific say that Returning a study does not affect your account but I am quite concerned because today alone I have had to Return four studies before completing and all, including this latest one

Study About Technology in the Workplace

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 because of technical issues.  I hope I am not penalised.  I'm beginning to feel paranoid because today all the many studies are either full, I can reserve a place but then not continue as subsequently full or because of technical issues.  I hope it's not just me although olliebean had problems with one of the Studies I also had to Return.

Crimson

elsien

Value said:

elsien said:

I'm stuck on one  at the moment which won't let me progress because my prolific id is apparently not a valid number. Which is  a shame because I think they've made a mistake with the payment which is showing as the equivalent of £47 an hour. messaged the researcher but it'll probably time out in the meantime. 

The researcher replied to me to say they'd fixed the problem as the field was set to only be numbers. Unfortunately I had returned the study as it was about to time out but hopefully you are now OK to proceed. Though I think that high hourly rate may be down to people returning the study after a minute or two.

Researcher still hasn't replied and the study still hadn't been fixed for me 5 minutes ago so I gave up and returned it. 

[Deleted User]

elsien said:

Value said:

elsien said:

I'm stuck on one  at the moment which won't let me progress because my prolific id is apparently not a valid number. Which is  a shame because I think they've made a mistake with the payment which is showing as the equivalent of £47 an hour. messaged the researcher but it'll probably time out in the meantime. 

The researcher replied to me to say they'd fixed the problem as the field was set to only be numbers. Unfortunately I had returned the study as it was about to time out but hopefully you are now OK to proceed. Though I think that high hourly rate may be down to people returning the study after a minute or two.

Researcher still hasn't replied and the study still hadn't been fixed for me 5 minutes ago so I gave up and returned it. 

I receive another message from the Researcher - but it arrived after I had Returned the Study following so many failed attempts.  He did correct the error to enable Prolific ID's with letters and numbers to be accepted and he suggested:  "Is it possible to use a new browser or clearing cookies?"  Unfortunately, having just Returned the Study, it was too late for me to try again using a different browser or clearing cookies.

Crimson

[Deleted User]

Just to add - not a good 'Prolific' day for me at all.  I have just had to return ANOTHER study as my internet connection is not fast enough. 

My track record of 'Returned Studies' today looks seriously bad.  My internet connection is stable and I had no reason to doubt the accuracy of the speed. 

It's just so disappointing to, once more eventually secure a place, after so very many 'Full Studies,' only to have to Return yet another Study - that's  five today and not one successful Study despite numerous alerts saying:  "New Study available on Prolific."  My  experience is that very few of the "New Studies" are really available in reality.  Not a good Prolific day for me.

 Sorry to moan!

Crimson

JGB1955

I've just checked - I seem to have 62 returned studies, out of 913.  It doesn't seem to affect the number of surveys being offered - 6 completed so far today.

elsien

Finally had a message long after the survey would have timed out explaining the validation problem was fixed and thanking me for my help.
There's £3.50 down the drain then. Guess you can't win them all. 

[Deleted User]

Out of 463 Studies I now have 72 'Returned'  - including a record of five today.  I'm really pleased you are being successful today, JGB1955. 

I seem to be on a 'downward trend' of receiving loads of alerts but very few available in reality as they are already 'full.'  Then, for a number of reasons including technical problems, the few I do manage to start have to be Returned.

I wonder if I should I be really concerned about having 72 Returned Studies out of a total of 463?   I would be sorry to 'lose' Prolific because many of the studies (when I am successful) are really interesting and I always appreciate the financial 'Rewards.'

I hope you  continue to have such good success JGB1955.

Crimson

elsien

Shouldn't make any odds - according to their help page. 
"Returning a study means deciding to leave the study early. This withdraws your participation in the study and means you will not be paid for this study. It will not affect your Prolific account or ability to participate in more studies in any way."

The full ones aren't showing up as returned on my submission page. I just refresh and they vanish. 
I did just get a £5 music one that I returned because I'm just not in the mood for listening to and rating 40 music clips. 
I now tend to start them  then read the blurb before deciding whether to carry on or not - had a few occasions where reserving them hasn't kept the place open. 

olliebean

I have over 200 returned out of 1,465 - most of them just because "I no longer wanted to do the study" - and I haven't noticed it making any difference to how many I get (and the Prolific FAQ explicitly says that it won't).

[Deleted User]

Maybe Prolific won't throw me out after all.  

Although, today especially, the 'Returned Studies' were not my choice,  there was, in the circumstances, no alternative option other than to Return them.  Even so five in one day seems extreme.

Thank you very much for the encouraging replies.

Crimson