Any tips for handling Prolific rejections and blunt messages without spiraling?
I do Prolific on the side for a little extra cushion while working full time, and I try to keep it low stress. Lately two things have spiked my anxiety: one study was rejected for an attention/authentication check I don't remember seeing, and another researcher sent a pretty blunt message accusing me of rushing through the task.
I do not want to argue with researchers or be difficult, but I also do not want to accept rejections that feel wrong. I am also worried about tanking my approval rate or getting flagged because I messaged the wrong way.
Does anyone have a go-to process for handling situations like this? A simple checklist or short script would be great. Specifically:
What do you say in the first message to the researcher? A short template is fine.
How long do you wait before following up if you do not get a reply?
When do you escalate to Prolific support, and what details do you include when you do?
Any habits that help prevent these issues in the first place (for example, screenshots of consent pages, writing down completion codes, avoiding studies when tired, etc.)?
I know some of this is just how platforms work, but I want to set better boundaries so Prolific stays a calm side activity instead of something I dread checking. Thanks in advance for any advice.