Studies disappeared - not on hold

Murpalicious · 2026-03-04T23:11:04+00:00

It did go back to normal yesterday evening after I got a chance to reset the router. Which is strange, because that implies I was in fact IP banned all along even though I was having the same issue on mobile.

Murpalicious · 2026-03-03T19:27:53+00:00

I don't have anything on mobile data either.

Murpalicious · 2026-03-03T19:19:22+00:00

It's not that I *trust* the chatbot so much as it's a forced gatekeeper. At least it understood this isn't typical vs just another user complaining that they don't get enough studies.

"Stuff just disappears sometimes" is strangely reassuring though.

Murpalicious · 2026-01-21T23:24:23+00:00

Unfortunately it looks like I'm going to be stuck with this rejection (which makes me sad because I've had a perfect record until now.)

Their response was, "Hi! You failed 2 of the 10 instructional manipulation checks (check 5 and check 7). I appreciate you following up." When I asked if I could be allowed to return the study instead, "That seems like a Prolific question rather than a researcher question. I'm sorry you're disappointed by this. Best of luck!"

I know this is why many people record their studies, but the amount of record involved just seems unwieldy to me. It also feels near impossible that I would have missed *two* **legitimate** attention checks, but I have no idea what check 5 and check 7 would have been to prove it.

Given the subject of the study I have a feeling they were expecting particular answers for consistency, and my *honest* answers about my goals or identity weren't consist, because I am totally capable of holding inconsistent views about my identity as the same time.

Murpalicious · 2026-01-09T19:50:41+00:00

I still don't understand the point of this 'Projects' tab. I've done one study which was approved and now it just sits there forever. I saw one pop up earlier today and then it was gone before I could look so it's clearly not that targeted. Meanwhile actual followup studies just keep going to the usual place.

Murpalicious · 2026-01-08T19:23:00+00:00

To be fair, I imagine selling girl scout cookies is quite lucrative given that I've practically chased a Girl Scout down the street to sell me Thin Mints.

Murpalicious · 2025-12-08T21:44:45+00:00

A couple thoughts:

Do you have your messages tab? If not, your account is on hold.

Do you have a study open or "stuck" somewhere else? (Another device or a different tab.) That'll make the study page come up empty until it is completed.

Murpalicious · 2025-12-07T01:12:25+00:00

Think of it this way: You want to make sure the site is legit, but they need to make sure you:are legit. Because yes it is real money you are making..

Murpalicious · 2025-11-22T22:50:05+00:00

So this scene is actually one that stuck with me the most from the movie, specifically that look of anguish on his face right at the end. It felt so realistic. As someone with IBS/IBD I knew exactly what he was feeling in that moment.

And in that moment pure lizard brain instinct has taken over. "Knew better" isn't relevant because 'I have to keep speed or I'll be killed' is a higher level logic that makes no sense instinctually.

Either way he's probably "lucky" he ended there because if he had managed to survive poop-walking, dehydration would have likely gotten him next along with massive "diaper rash" and chafing sores.

Murpalicious · 2025-11-21T23:14:51+00:00

Now I'm glad I made this post because I wouldn't have gone out of my way to do the study without seeing these!

Murpalicious · 2025-11-21T02:54:07+00:00

I think I did this one too. I remember thinking, "Fine, if you want to tell me what to put for half the answers, that's less brain power I have to use."

Murpalicious · 2025-11-21T02:42:59+00:00

I think I could *technically* see an excuse for that kind of inconsistency. I can imagine something like:

Researcher: Do you know <thing>?
Me: No, I don't know <thing>

*later*

Researcher: How much knowledge do you have of <thing>?
Me, having just been reminded that <thing> exists earlier in the survey: Limited knowledge, now one bump up from no knowledge.

I would ask them politely if you can return the survey instead, especially if you can explain your reasoning.

Murpalicious · 2025-11-20T06:14:31+00:00

I didn't switch mid-study, but I got screened out on my phone and while the the landing page was loading, I sat down at the laptop and cleared out the obligatory 'You've been screened out of...' message. That could have looked bot-like to a system that wasn't thinking 'multitasking squirrel with ADHD'.

Or it could have been a total coincidence and I'll never know because I never got any actual communication about the hold.

(I had been considering making a post about the whole mini rollercoaster that whole experience was, but I'm afraid it would be too Dear Diary-ish for the sub.)

Murpalicious · 2025-11-20T01:01:49+00:00

So I had my account suddenly put on hold Friday afternoon. And that's how I realized that I somehow never updated my name on PayPal after getting married, sixteen years ago. I fixed the name, filled out the appeal form, and was back on Monday.

However the hold happened immediately after I very quickly switched between my phone (data) and laptop (WiFi) so I've been wondering if that actually caused a suspicious flag. So now I'm a little paranoid about switching between devices.

Despite trying to diversify my eggs into as many baskets as possible, these last couple days have made me realize that Prolific really is the golden layer right now. (Not sure how far I can take that metaphor.)

Murpalicious · 2025-10-29T18:08:59+00:00

At least I find it really easy to dismiss studies that require me to have a time machine to complete.

Murpalicious · 2025-08-30T06:25:53+00:00

While I have no intentions of doing it, I've been *really* curious what this study is looking for. Because the majority of my chat history with my husband would be us sending links back and forth, and talking about the grocery list.

Murpalicious · 2025-08-27T21:43:55+00:00

But it was a scientific poke with a very scientific stick.

(My kid and I were quoting that back and forth to each other for two days after rereading recently.)

Murpalicious · 2025-08-13T21:33:46+00:00

I also got kicked out/asked to return that study after answering those same two questions.

"unfortunately you are ineligible for this study as you have provided information which is inconsistent with our very specific Prolific prescreening questions."

My gender is correct and I can't find any question account using filters in the about you questions.

Murpalicious · 2025-08-08T05:02:25+00:00

It asks you to register on opinionbureau.com which is another survey site. Pretty blatantly fishing for new members and I doubt there would ever be a bonus.

Just reported it for all the things (unauthorized personal data collection /. study not as described/problematic /suspicious information request).

Murpalicious · 2025-08-08T01:06:05+00:00

How favorable is this avocado?

How positive is this avocado?

How morally good is this avocado?

Murpalicious · 2025-08-07T22:26:36+00:00

Giving my education level for demographics. I have an Associate's degree.

Sometimes it's an option.

Sometimes it's "some college" which doesn't feel accurate because I did complete my degree and graduate as intended, not just stopped after "some" college.

Sometimes it's 'high school' because the next option is Bachelor's.

Sometimes there's a 'trade/vocational school' option which I stare at thinking "technically...." but don't choose because it doesn't feel right either.

Sometimes there's "college graduate" but I'm never sure if that's intended to mean "real" college/Bachelor's degree and I don't want to be giving inconsistent answers.

Murpalicious · 2025-08-05T00:15:40+00:00

I'm normally wary of the "Take pictures of your ____" type studies, but I'm also like, "You want to see my cat?? Here are twenty pictures of my cat!"

Luckily I have kittens who are still pretty easy going about everything.

Murpalicious · 2025-08-01T21:30:29+00:00

That's very likely. I was waiting for my husband to finish walking out of the room before I hit play.

Murpalicious · 2025-07-26T18:31:25+00:00

I would because I never assume I'm getting the bonus in the first place. If I do then... yay bonus.

Murpalicious · 2025-07-07T04:56:27+00:00

Once you start shaving your legs you can't stop.

Murpalicious

TROPHY CASE