Frequently Asked Questions

What will I do on KnowledgePanel?
You will take short surveys on the Internet, about one per week. For each survey, we will send a personalized email invitation containing a link to your survey. Most surveys take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Why are surveys important?
There are many researchers in companies, agencies, and universities trying to make important decisions. They use KnowledgePanel as a way to get answers because they know that our members represent the whole country and all different groups.

What are the surveys about?
You will receive brief surveys that deal with a wide variety of subjects. New products being introduced and current events are just a small example of the types of surveys you will receive on KnowledgePanel.

Who are the surveys done for?
This research is done for television networks, news organizations, well-known companies, universities and others like AARP and Consumer Reports.

Who can join KnowledgePanel?
Only households that have received an invitation by mail are eligible to join. These homes have been selected randomly to ensure that results are representative of the U.S. population.

Why do the mailing materials you sent say you only want 18-24 year olds?
From time to time Knowledge Networks embarks on special recruitment projects specifically for 18-24 year olds. If you received these materials and are 18-24 years old we look forward to hearing from you!

Can other members of my home join?
Of course they can. We would like to enroll all adults and teenagers in your home – anyone age 13 or older. Before we enroll a teenager in KnowledgePanel we will ask the permission of a parent or guardian. We will protect the privacy of all our Panel Members with the same high standards we apply to you. In addition, from time to time, there are projects that require recruitment of specific age groups that may not include teenagers or other age categories. The materials mailed to you will clearly indicate if we are recruiting for specific ages.

Can I sign up my friends and neighbors?
Unfortunately, you cannot sign up friends and neighbors. Only the people living in your household can join. We send invitations to a limited number of randomly selected addresses across the nation. People who do not live at these selected addresses cannot join. We do appreciate you telling your friends about all the great things you get as a member of KnowledgePanel!

What will I get?
If you already have Internet access from your home, you earn a small amount of money for each brief survey you take.

If you do not have Internet access, we send you a computer and give you free Internet access as long as you remain on KnowledgePanel.

We also offer opportunities to earn cash rewards and prizes for completing surveys. We do this because we appreciate your time and effort. We value you as a member.

What about my privacy?
We respect your privacy! We never give or re-sell your name, address or any information that could be used to identify you to anyone else outside Knowledge Networks without your prior permission. But even more than that, we only let a select few people inside our company know who you are (because they need to help you on the phone or send you checks). It is also our policy that your identity never appears with any of your survey answers.

You can read our Panel Member privacy statement here.

Where is Knowledge Networks located?
Knowledge Networks has several offices. Our corporate headquarters is in Palo Alto, CA. Additional offices are located in Washington DC; Chicago, IL; Needham, MA; Roseland, NJ; New York, NY and Cincinnati, OH.

The Knowledge Networks Recruitment Processing Center address is 5610 Rowland Road, Suite 160 Minnetonka, MN 55343-9829

Who is Norman Nie?
Dr. Norman Nie is a founder of Knowledge Networks. In addition to his current responsibilities as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Nie is a research professor in Political Science at Stanford University, and the Director of the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society. He is professor emeritus of the Political Science Department at the University of Chicago. Dr. Nie received his Ph.D. from Stanford University.