the-Collaboratory is an exclusive online community whose members share their experiences, thoughts and opinions in research studies. These studies cover cultural trends, new products and services, and personal interests and activities. They provide insights that shape the future thinking of businesses and organizations around the world.
Members participate in the-Collaboratory because it’s a fun and fascinating way to creatively influence the evolution of global brands and companies through the voicing of thoughts and opinions. Some of our members are specialists and aficionados; others are consumers who enjoy the opportunity to share their point of view.
Our thorough membership selection process helps us to select participants for each study based on their personal passions and interests, as well as their demographics and brand preferences.
We’re always looking for enthusiastic and articulate new members who are willing to participate in studies, share their personal thoughts and flex their creative minds.
Clients come to the-Collaboratory because it provides a forum for deep and thoughtful dialogue, ideation and co-creation with carefully selected participants. Projects cover a vast array of industries and categories, including, consumer goods, food, fashion, entertainment and many more.
Clients range from new startups to Fortune 100 companies. Studies are customized for each project, and might include photo-journals, blog assignments or home and shopping visits.
We’re also always happy to discuss new projects and topics that our members could help to shape and inform. If you would like more information about the-Collaboratory for your business or organization, let’s talk more.
If you can’t find the answer to your questions or want to talk to us, please e-mail us at talk@the-collaboratory.com
You can use any computer, tablet or mobile device that has internet access. It helps if your device has a camera too.
Your information is protected by a limited-access secured database that can only be viewed by the-Collaboratory employees.
Sure! You can have them visit www.the-collaboratory.com and click on the “Apply for Membership” link. They can also email us at talk@the-collaboratory.com.
It is possible you entered an inaccurate email address when you registered. Email us at talk@the-collaboratory.com and give us your first and last name as well as your current, accurate email address. We will be sure to get you back on the right track.
You are only allowed one the-Collaboratory profile since we only need your answers once. If we discover you have signed up more than once we will disable your account.
We recommend you put in your PRIMARY email address, meaning the one you use most often. We also recommend you put in a backup email address so we can contact you if your primary address fails for any reason.
You can go to the “Edit Profile” page on your home page to access your profile. You can update your profile at any time, whenever you need to. If you run into any issues or questions, reach out to talk@the-collaboratory.com
We use this information to select the surveys that are most relevant to you. Also, we use your name and address ONLY to send you your check. It is never given to anyone or sold to mailing lists.
Your answers are combined with all the others and presented as a whole to our clients. If we quote any of your answers, we will identify you only by your first name and last initial, unless you give us permission to use your full name.
Yes, we have members all over the world, and we can send checks and PayPal payments anywhere in the world.
If you complete the study within the given timeframe, you’ll get your check approximately 3-4 weeks after the study’s completion. If you are ever missing a payment after 2 months of a study’s completion, email us at payment@the-collaboratory.com so we can look into the situation for you.
No, we do not pay you for screeners. (Screeners are the initial short questionnaires we send out to identify members with specific qualifications.)
Each study’s compensation varies. Most studies are in the form of a guaranteed check. Others may be for products/services or a drawing to enter for cash and/or prizes.
It depends. Some months we may have a couple for you. Other months you may not get any. It depends on the kinds of surveys we are doing each month, and how many members fit each survey’s requirements. We will contact you when a new study is ready so make sure to check your email.
We encourage you to visit the site often so that you can update your profile with the latest information. The more detail you provide, the more likely you will be accepted for a project.
A member may be invited to participate in paid projects. Projects can include activities such as an interview, online blog, survey, ethnography, and street reporting.
A respondent must be at least 14 years old to participate. We encourage anyone who is interested to sign up. You will be sent a screener so that we can learn more about you and your interests.
We will send you an e-mail message to let you know about a new opportunity for which you may qualify, and will provide you with details on how to apply, such as through a URL to the screener.
the-Collaboratory (www.the-collaboratory.com) respects your privacy and will do its best to earn and keep your trust. This Privacy Policy identifies how we collect, use, and protect the personal information you provide to us when you visit the the-collaboratory.com website.
What Personal Information Is Collected and How Is It Used?
You may choose to provide certain personal information to the-collaboratory.com through this site. The “personal information” may include your name, address, email address, gender, date of birth, password and other information. For example, you may be asked to provide this information when you pre-screen for a study or when you register to become a member. We use this information to process your requests (e.g. to apply for a study), to allow us to communicate with you, and to enable us to better target your interests, preferences, and demographic fit. Also, if you join the-collaboratory.com, we may share this information with our market research customers or potential customers. Since the-collaboratory.com has no control over the use or distribution of your personal information once it is passed to a participating advertiser, you should review carefully the privacy policy of each advertiser you opt-in to before making your selection. the-collaboratory.com is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of other websites that may be linked to this site.
How Is Your Personal Information Protected?
the-Collaboratory.com maintains reasonable security procedures and practices appropriate to the nature of the information, to protect the personal information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure.
How Can You Access or Correct Your Personal Information?
To access, correct or delete your personal information stored by the-Collaboratory.com, please send an email containing your request to us at talk@the-Collaboratory.com.
How Can You Opt-out of receiving Future Communications?
Also by registering with the-collaboratory.com you are opting in to receive invitations, information, and solicitations to offers related to market research and the-collaboratory.com products and services. You may request to be removed from our marketing and other databases at any time by contacting us at talk@the-Collaboratory.com.
How Will You Know If We Change Our Privacy Policy?
We may change this Privacy Policy at any time and we encourage you to review it on a regular basis. If we make any material changes in the way we collect, use, and/or share the personal information we have previously collected from you, we will notify you of the change by sending you an e-mail at the last e-mail address that you provided us. If we make any material changes in the way we collect, use, and/or share personal information on a going forward basis, we will indicate those changes in an updated version of the privacy policy and prominently post the date that the updates were made. Please note that, at all times, you are responsible for updating the personal information you voluntarily provide us, including your current e-mail address. Please contact us at talk@the-Collaboratory.com if you need help updating your personal information. In the event that the last e-mail address that you have provided us is not valid, or for any other reason this message is incapable of delivery, our transmission of the e-mail containing such notice will constitute effective notice of the changes described in the notice.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us by email at talk@the-Collaboratory.com.
the-Collaboratory.com Disclaimer
the-Collaboratory.com does not condone any illegal, harassing, or abusive use of its services. the-Collaboratory.com does not warrant the accuracy of its services. the-Collaboratory.com is not responsible for Internet and technology outages, disruptions, and/or other interruptions to services whether affecting the-Collaboratory.
Acceptance of User Agreement and Terms and Conditions
This User Agreement (this "Agreement") applies exclusively to your access to, and use of, the-Collaboratory’s website at www.the-collaboratory.com (the "Site") and the services provided by the-Collaboratory and/or its related entities on the Site (the "Service"). The Site, the Service, and any other services the-Collaboratory provides on the Site are referred to in this Agreement collectively as the "Services." Please read this Agreement carefully. the-Collaboratory is only willing to make the Services available to you if you accept and abide by the terms of this Agreement. By accessing or using the Services, you enter into a binding legal agreement between you and Gordon Innovation Group, consisting of this Agreement and all terms, policies, and guidelines referenced in this Agreement. Furthermore, by accessing or using the Services you are declaring that you are not a professional survey taker. If you do not agree with any provision of this Agreement, you should not access or use the Services.
The Service
The Service allows persons who meet its eligibility requirements to register as a user member (the "Member"). Members may participate in surveys and/or studies on the Site but are not guaranteed to qualify to participate in any particular survey and/or study. In cases where the Member does not qualify to participate in a particular survey, the Member may be redirected to another survey with a different reward amount, which may be lower or higher than the reward amount indicated in the original survey. The Member may also be routed out of the survey and not given an opportunity at another survey. Members in good standing may receive incentives such as a "Cash Reward" for completing surveys and/or studies in accordance with this Agreement and with any other policies and guidelines for participation in the Service that the-Collaboratory may make available from time to time. Members may also be contacted via e-mail or other method provided by Member for prequalification of a study, or for solicitation of interest in other forms of studies and surveys such as focus groups for example.
Cash Reward and Other Incentives
The Cash Reward or Other Incentive offered to a member for participation in a survey or study is only earned upon completion of the requirement of that particular survey or study. Members will typically not be incentivized for participating in prequalification questionnaires or if they fail to complete all requirements of a particular study. Mere participation in the survey and/or study does not assure you to receive the full Cash Reward or incentive as indicated therein.
Service Eligibility and Registration
The Service may be used only by persons 18 years of age or older or by persons between 14 and 17 years of age (a "Minor") with the permission and supervision of a parent or guardian 18 years of age or older (a "Guardian"). the-Collaboratory relies upon Guardians to determine whether any surveys and/or study or other content made available through the Service is appropriate for the viewing, access, download, or participation in by persons under 18 years of age. If you are a Minor, you may not register for or use the Service without the permission and supervision of a Guardian. The Service is not intended for the use of children under 14 years of age. Use of the Service is void where prohibited by State law, Federal law, or another laws of the jurisdiction where Member may live or where the Member uses the Site.
By accessing or using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet the eligibility requirements in this paragraph and are fully able and competent to enter into, and abide by, the terms of this Agreement.
Fees for the Service
There is no fee to participate in the Service and/or study. the-Collaboratory may, in its sole discretion, elect to charge fees for participating in the Service and/or study, or to use or access any other Services, at any time. If it does, it will update this Agreement to reflect such fees.
Participation Requirements
Your ability to participate in the Services is expressly conditioned upon your compliance with this Agreement and with all policies and guidelines applicable to the Services that the-Collaboratory may make available from time to time. In the event of your noncompliance, fraud or other inappropriate activity (as determined by the-Collaboratory in its sole discretion), the-Collaboratory may cancel or invalidate your accounts, registrations and Cash Reward, incentives, deny redemption of your Cash Reward, or restrict, block, limit, and prevent your access to and use of the Services and, further, all Cash Rewards, incentives and rewards shall be subject to forfeiture. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following requirements apply to your use of the Services:
Copyright and Limited License
The Services and all content and other materials contained on or within the Services, including, without limitation, the the-Collaboratory logo, and all information, content, designs, text, graphics, information, data, software, other files, and the selection and arrangement thereof (collectively, the "Content"), are the proprietary property of the-Collaboratory and/or its customers, suppliers and licensors. The Collaboratory will use all available laws to enforce any improper use of its proprietary property.
If you comply with all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the-Collaboratory grants you a limited, revocable, non-transferable, and non-exclusive license to access and use the Services, solely for your personal, non-commercial purposes. Except for those rights expressly granted in this Agreement, no other rights are granted, either express or implied, to you under this Agreement. Unless explicitly stated in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement will be construed as conferring any license to intellectual property rights, whether by estoppel, implication or otherwise. This license is revocable at any time.
Any use of the Services or any Content other than as specifically authorized in this Agreement, without the prior written permission of the-Collaboratory, is strictly prohibited and will terminate the license granted in this section. Unauthorized use may also violate applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, copyright and trademark laws and applicable communications regulations and statutes, and the rights of the-Collaboratory and of third parties.
Trademarks
the-Collaboratory, the-Collaboratory logos, the-Collaboratory mascot, website, and other designs and any other product or service name or slogan contained in any Content or otherwise within the Services are trademarks of the-Collaboratory and its suppliers or licensors, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the-Collaboratory or the applicable trademark holder. All other trademarks, registered trademarks, product names and company names or logos mentioned in the Services or in any Content are the property of their respective owners. Reference to any products, services, processes or other information, by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, supplier or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof by the-Collaboratory.
Disclaimer of Warranties
YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, YOUR USE OF ANY CONTENT, IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE SERVICES AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. THE-COLLABORATORY, ITS AFFILIATES, LICENSORS, AND SUPPLIERS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE MEMBERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, AND EMPLOYEES (COLLECTIVELY, THE "PROVIDERS") EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. NEITHER THE-COLLABORATORY NOR ANY OTHER PROVIDERS WARRANT UNINTERRUPTED USE, OPERATION, OR AVAILABILITY OF THE SERVICES OR ANY CONTENT, OR THAT ANY SUBMISSION OR TRANSACTION REQUEST YOU ATTEMPT USING THE SERVICES WILL BE SUCCESSFUL, UNCORRUPTED, OR COMPLETED WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DELAY OR LOSS OF ANY KIND THAT RESULTS FROM YOUR ACCESS TO, OR USE OF, THE SERVICES AND THE CONTENT. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM THE-COLLABORATORY OR ANY OTHER PROVIDER THROUGH OR FROM THE SERVICES, WILL CREATE ANY WARRANTY REGARDING THE SERVICES THAT IS NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY PROHIBIT A DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION.
Limitation of Liability
NEITHER THE-COLLABORATORY NOR ANY OTHER PROVIDERS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE-COLLABORATORY OR ANY OTHER PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THESE DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF, OR YOUR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE, THE SERVICES OR ANY CONTENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
THE MAXIMUM TOTAL LIABILITY OF THE-COLLABORATORY AND ALL OTHER PROVIDERS TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, IS THE GREATER OF (A) ANY AMOUNTS PAID BY THE-COLLABORATORY TO YOU UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN THE TWELVE MONTHS PRECEDING THE APPLICABLE CLAIM, AND (B) 100 UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($100 USD). EACH PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT THAT PROVIDES FOR A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES, OR EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES IS TO ALLOCATE THE RISKS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES. THIS ALLOCATION IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE BASIS OF THE BARGAIN BETWEEN THE PARTIES. EACH OF THESE PROVISIONS IS SEVERABLE AND INDEPENDENT OF ALL OTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE LIMITATIONS IN THIS SECTION WILL APPLY EVEN IF ANY LIMITED REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
Indemnification
You will indemnify and hold harmless the-Collaboratory its affiliates, and related entities, and all other Providers from and against any costs, damages, expenses, and liabilities (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to any User Content, your use of the Services or any Content, your violation of this Agreement, or your violation of any rights of a third party.
Third-Party Content
The Services may contain links or references to information, content, and services provided by third parties (collectively, "Third-Party Content") as a service to those interested in this information. the-Collaboratory does not monitor or have any control over any Third-Party Content. the-Collaboratory does not endorse or adopt any Third-Party Content and can make no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness. the-Collaboratory undertakes no responsibility to update or review any Third-Party Content, and does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any information contained in any Third Party Content. You use any Third Party Content contained therein at your own risk
Privacy
the-Collaboratory may collect registration and other information about you through the Services. Please see the Privacy Policy for information regarding the-Collaboratory's collection, use, and disclosure of this information.
Feedback
You acknowledge and agree that any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, feedback, original or creative materials, or other information or content provided by you to the-Collaboratory, to the extent it is not User Content, will become the sole property of the-Collaboratory. the-Collaboratory will own exclusive rights, including all intellectual property rights, and shall be entitled to the unrestricted use and dissemination of such information and content for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, without acknowledgment or compensation to you. Further, you hereby grant to the-Collaboratory a perpetual and irrevocable license to use such information and content for any purpose.
Independent Contractors
You and the-Collaboratory are independent contractors for all purposes. No agency, partnership, joint venture, employee-employer or franchisor-franchisee relationship is intended or created by this Agreement or by your access to or use of the Services.
Termination
Notwithstanding any term of this Agreement, the-Collaboratory reserves the right, without notice and in its sole discretion, to discontinue or terminate any of the Services, to terminate your license to use the Services, to delete any registrations or other accounts, to delete Cash Reward balance without redemption, and to restrict, block, limit, and prevent your access to and use of the Services. Any termination or other action by the-Collaboratory described in this paragraph will not limit any other remedies the-Collaboratory may have against you at law or equity.
Updates to this Agreement
the-Collaboratory may update this Agreement from time to time. When it does, it will revise the "last updated" date on this Agreement. You are responsible for reviewing the most recent version of this Agreement frequently and for remaining informed about any changes to it. By continuing to use the Services, you consent to any updates to this Agreement.
General Legal Notices
By accessing or using the Services, you consent to receiving electronic communications from the-Collaboratory. These communications may include notices about your account and information concerning or related to the Services. You agree that any notices, agreements, disclosures, or other communications that the-Collaboratory sends to you electronically will satisfy any legal communication requirements, including any requirement that communications be in writing.
the-Collaboratory's failure to act in a particular circumstance does not waive its ability to act with respect to that circumstance or similar circumstances. Any provision of this Agreement that is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable will be severed from this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of this Agreement will continue to be in full force and effect. The section headings and titles in this Agreement are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect. Any provisions in this Agreement that by their nature should survive the termination of this Agreement (including, without limitation, provisions governing indemnification, limitations on liability, disclaimers of warranty, and ownership of intellectual property) will continue to remain in full force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California, USA, excluding conflicts of law principles. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the Services or this Agreement must be commenced within one year after the claim arose and will be settled by binding arbitration, other than small claims court matter, in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any such controversy or claim will be arbitrated on an individual basis, and will not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party. “ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS MEANS THAT YOU CANNOT BRING A CLAIM AS A CLASS REPRESENTATIVE, PLAINTIFF AND/OR CLASS MEMBER IN A CLASS, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. CLASS ARBITRATIONS, CLASS ACTIONS, PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACTIONS, AND CONSOLIDATION WITH OTHER ARBITRATIONS ARE EXPRESS PROHIBITED AS PART OF THIS AGREEMENT. The arbitration will be conducted in Los Angeles, CA, and judgment on the arbitration award may be entered into any court of competent jurisdiction. The award of the arbitrator will be final and binding upon the parties without appeal or review except as permitted by California law. Either party may seek any interim or preliminary injunctive relief from any court of competent jurisdiction, as necessary to protect the party's rights or property pending the completion of arbitration.
This Agreement, including all terms, policies, and guidelines referenced in this Agreement, is the entire agreement between you and the-Collaboratory concerning the Services. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements or communications between you and the-Collaboratory regarding the subject matter of this Agreement.
Contactingthe-Collaboratory
If you wish to contact us regarding any questions or concerns about this Agreement or the Services, please email us at talk@the-collaboratory.com.
Tell us what you think. Shake things up. How was your experience at this site? Your voice will be heard if you write us at talk@the-collaboratory.com.
If your burning questions were left unanswered after reading the FAQ's above, feel free to email us—don't be shy.
General Questions
From changing your user profile to signing up friends, select general questions subject below.
Missing Payment
If it’s over a month from the closing date of the survey you took, select missing payment subject to ask about your check.
Technical Questions
From how to upload or download in your profile to issues with logging in, select technical questions subject below.