There are other perks to market research for participants in that sometimes you may be asked to sample an unreleased product to give your opinions on it's usability, design, usefullness and durability.

In many cases, you get to keep what you tested. Just be sure to remember you had to sign a contract stating you won't show or tell anyone about the product until after it's been released into the market. That could get you into trouble!

As far as the product manufacturers are concerned, by you giving them honest opinions about their products, they can then take that information and decide what needs to be fixed, replaced,  scrapped altogether or left as is.

This helps them put out a product that will be usable for the general public and make them money in return. What they pay to get your thoughts is minimal to what a potential failure in the consumer market could cost them.

Businesses try to reach out and gather opinions, not just from certain groups of people, but as many different people as possible.  So, who can participate? Pretty much anyone 13 years old and up.

For those under 18, a parents permission is needed. Many parents don't mind and enjoy the fact their children are helping to shape the world of consumerism and make a few bucks in the meantime.

If you're wondering now, after reading what the benefits are, where to find legitimate websites for market research projects, SurveyMoneyGuide has an extensive list of sites for online surveys, focus groups and mystery shopping.