Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Science Advisory Board? The Board is an independent, worldwide panel of life science and medical professionals that convenes electronically to voice their opinions on a wide range of topics. Total membership is greater than 36,000 members from more than 50 countries. On average, 50 new members join the Board each day. The Board's members range from Department Heads and Principal Investigators to Lab Technicians and graduate students from some of the world's finest universities, research centers and hospitals. [ Back to Top ] Why was the Board formed? The Board was conceived as a result of our conversations with literally hundreds of scientific and medical professionals who expressed their frustration with vendors who don't always fully understand the applications that their products are intended to support. There appears to be even less tolerance for vendors who don't always appreciate the challenges that often confront you -- including, but not limited to, quality assurance requirements, the need for timely delivery of critical components and the paramount importance of responsive technical support. The opinions of end-users have real value to manufacturers, and we see no reason that end-users should not be compensated for the time they take to share their insights. Moreover, we sincerely believe that both sides ultimately benefit from improved communication and understanding. The power of the Internet provides a medium for this communication on a scale that has never before been possible. [ Back to Top ] Who sponsors the studies? Manufacturers in the medical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries rely on the input of end-users, to design more effective products, equipment and instruments. They also seek to better understand your needs as they relate to training, support and service. It is these suppliers who sponsor the topics considered by the Board, and contribute the funds used to reward the participants. Virtually all major companies rely on the advice of a "Science Advisory Board" which generally consists of a handful of prestigious scientists or physicians who are flown in several times a year to advise on R&D and product development. The fact that these same companies continue to turn to the us to speak with their customers indicates that the traditional notion of an SAB may not be fulfilling its mandate to represent the interests of those who do not enjoy the same level of attention. [ Back to Top ] Who organized the Board? The Board has been organized, and paid for, by BioInformatics, LLC a consulting firm specializing in technology assessments with no ties to any other corporation or government agency. [ Back to Top ] Why should I become a member? Your opinions, experiences and insights are the key to improving existing products and technologies, and developing new ones. Individually, it often hard for one person's opinion to make a difference, but collectively, through The Science Advisory Board, it is possible to exert great influence. [ Back to Top ] Who else is on the Board? In order to facilitate the frank exchange of ideas, we have agreed not to reveal the identity, participation, or individual responses of our members. We have found that anonymity encourages members to comment more freely on most topics, especially those that relate to issues of vendor performance, service and support. Unlike most professional societies and publications, we NEVER release membership information to third parties, or allow our database to be used for commercial solicitations. The Board operates a discussion forum where members interact with each other and are free to identify themselves if they so choose. For an aggregate view of the kinds of members we have, please visit the People section. [ Back to Top ] How much time is required? Most studies take less than 10 minutes to complete, and your participation in any given study or online event is entirely voluntary. Online or live focus group usually take longer and your compensation is increased accordingly. [ Back to Top ] How will I be compensated? As a member of the Board, you will have the opportunity to participate in online studies and focus groups that directly relate to your individual background and expertise. In return, you will receive "ViewPoints" for each study you complete. ViewPoints can be redeemed at any time for the high-value items contained in an online catalog. For special projects, additional compensation will be made in the form of an hourly consulting fee, cash prizes or travel packages. If your organization prohibits the acceptance of gratuities, we will be happy to make a donation of equivalent value to a reputable charity. Points will also be rewarded for posts to the discussion forum, posting links to Websites or databases and contributing book and product reviews. [ Back to Top ] Is my research area/specialty appropriate for the Board? One of the greatest strengths of The Science Advisory Board is the multi-disciplinary perspective we can bring to bear. If you are involved in any aspect of the life sciences, medicine or healthcare, and have "hand-on" experience with the use or purchase of the technologies used in these fields, your participation is very welcome. [ Back to Top ] Why haven't I been notified about a study this month? Members are invited to participate in studies based on their area of expertise, as well as other considerations such as their job position, type of organization and geographic location. The corporate sponsor of a study specifies what considerations must be taken into account based on which members are most likely to offer the opinions the sponsor is seeking. Given the broad range of experience on the Board, it is sometimes difficult to generate a consistent flow of studies for every possible specialty. To ensure that everyone has a regular opportunity to participate and earn points, we try to conduct an open study every four to six weeks. [ Back to Top ] How can I find out how many ViewPoints I have? You may check the status of your ViewPoints by logging in and looking at your profile. [ Back to Top ] How can I redeem my points? Visit the Reward Catalog and choose which gift you would like to redeem your points for. Follow the directions and your points will automatically be deducted from your account. You can expect to receive your gift within 30 days. [ Back to Top ] |
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