Ken Larsen's web site - Volunteering for a research study

(July 2006) I finally did something non-hedonistic with my retirement time - I served as a volunteer in a research study at Duke University. For the investment of 17 hours of my time spread over five weeks I got paid $ 700. 

I found out about this opportunity from a lady friend of mine who was a lab technician in the study.  After completing the study I learned that Duke University has lots of similar studies going on all the time.  Here's a web site which lists those at Duke:  http://www.dukehealth.org/clinicaltrials

Here's a similar web site for UNC Chapel Hill:  http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/healthpatientcare/clinicaltrials

If you do a Google search on "clinical trials", you can find similar opportunities in your area.

Payment depends upon the hours invested and the risks of the study.  Both were on the high side for the study I participated in.  Some studies only pay $ 10 or $ 20.

In any event, it was nice to get paid, contribute to science, and do something besides play golf or backgammon :-) .