Paid Research Study

About the study

Mindrift is conducting an in-person research study exploring how people communicate and interact in everyday group conversations.

We're looking for adults in the Santa Clara Valley (South Bay) area to join a paid, guided conversation session. Sessions start 9 Nov, weekdays, in Santa Clara / Sunnyvale.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, with different accents and first languages. No special experience is needed. Just come as you are!

What you'll do

• Check in on site with our coordinator, who will guide you through every step.
• Join a small group of 2–4 people for a guided conversation led by a trained moderator.
• Talk about everyday, non-sensitive topics, such as planning a birthday celebration or making everyday decisions.
• Take part in a session of about 90 minutes. The conversation is recorded on video and audio for research purposes.
• Who we're looking for 18-64 years of age
• Living in or able to travel to Santa Clara Valley (South Bay), California.
• Comfortable holding a conversation in English. Non-native speakers and all accents are welcome!
• Comfortable being recorded on video and audio during the session.
• Able to attend one in-person session on a weekday between November 2026 and March 2027.
• Have not taken part in this study before. Each person participates once.
• Great fit for students, stay-at-home parents, retirees, freelancers, and anyone with a flexible weekday schedule. We especially welcome adults aged 50–64 and people who speak English as a second language.
• No previous experience is required.
• Simple and transparent
• Participation is voluntary and covered by a signed consent form that explains exactly what's involved, including how recordings are used and stored. You can ask questions at any point and choose to withdraw from the study.
• Research sessions will take place from November 2026 through March 2027.