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Respondent Fee Definition

The payment to participants for coming to a focus group. The amount varies dramatically, based on the difficulty of recruiting the participants. Also called honorarium or co-op payment. More commonly known as incentive.

A respondent fee is the incentive or monetary compensation given to participants in exchange for their time and input during a market research study, such as a survey, interview or focus group.

Who relies on respondent fees in market research?

Fieldwork managers, recruitment agencies, research firms and client-side researchers rely on respondent fees to encourage participation and ensure timely completion of studies.

What are key aspects of respondent fees in market research?

• Can be cash, gift cards, products or charitable donations.
• Varies based on study length, complexity and target audience.
• Helps recruit hard-to-reach or high-value segments.
• Disclosed upfront to ensure transparency.
• Often managed by research operations teams.

Why are respondent fees important in market research?

They boost participation rates, reduce dropout and show respect for respondents' time and effort. Well-structured incentives also help secure higher-quality, more thoughtful responses.

How do market researchers set respondent fees?

Researchers set fees based on budget and study requirements, include them in recruitment materials and ensure proper distribution after participation. Fees are factored into fieldwork planning and help maintain ethical standards.