Contents:
1. What is a 'returned' submission?
2. How do I return a submission?
3. Why has a researcher asked me to return a study?

What is a 'returned' submission?

Sometimes you might not complete a study to the end. Simply put, returning a study means leaving it before completion.

For example, you might accidentally sign up for a mobile-only study on your laptop, only realizing the mistake when the study opens in a new window. Rather than face an unfair rejection for this honest mistake, you can return the study instead. There's no need to submit it as complete—just return it and move on.

Other reasons to return a study might include technical issues at the start, or discovering that what you thought was a quick 1-minute task is actually a 1-hour study.

You're also completely free to return a study if you simply lose interest.

How do I return a submission?

To return a study, close it and look under Submissions. There you'll find a circular arrow labeled "Return and cancel reward" that lets you return the study:

That's all you need to do—it returns the study and prevents you from receiving an unwarranted rejection.

Keep in mind that since you haven't completed the study, you won't receive payment for a returned submission.

Why has a researcher asked me to return a study?

Researchers may request that you return your submission if:

• You only partially completed the study—for example, if you were fairly screened out
• You encountered technical problems. You should not be rejected for this—please ask the researcher to consider awarding partial payments, though they aren't obligated to do so
• You withdrew your consent (the researcher will then delete any data they have from you in their external software)
• The researcher prefers to give you the opportunity to return your submission rather than penalize you with a rejection. Note that rejections should only be given when a participant has been clearly negligent.

Please note: researchers cannot return submissions themselves

Prolific reserves the right to overturn invalid rejections in certain circumstances.

If you believe you're being unfairly asked to return a study, please contact support using the button below and provide:

• screenshots of your communication with the researcher
• the name of the study in question.

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