3 ms·

25 years ago I'd regularly (every month or two) get focus group invitations that paid $100+/hr. Along with informing the subjects, compensating participants is

• joshuamorton 8y ago
  Do you consider all A/B tests to be studies one should be compensated for? Not to mention that they are compensating you by sponsoring the content you're viewing, but that should go without saying. (Focus groups and A/B tests are different, and afaik, Google does compensate for focus groups)
  • rhizome 8y ago
    Of course not, but where do you draw the line?
    • joshuamorton 8y ago
      That's a good question. So let's clarify: Would this be unethical if it was a real pizza company doing an A/B test for their real brand? Would this be unethical if it was a real pizza company doing the A/B test for a fake brand? Is it unethical for Google to have done this? You've just said no to the first question, and previously yes to the last. so I'm curious where you lie on the second, and how you justify those different answers. I don't see a difference between any of them. (in other words: the line is "when its no longer an A/B test and they're actively soliciting your feedback", but you draw it differently. Why?)
      • rhizome 8y ago
        If a company engages in false advertising, which is against the law, they should be fined by the FTC at the very least, and certainly someone visible should lose their job. It's not complicated.
        • joshuamorton 8y ago
          Right, so given that this doesn't meet the definition of false advertising, would you mind responding to the questions I posed?