> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://participanthelp.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://participanthelp.dscout.com/getting-started/dscout-overview/a-scouts-guide-to-dscout-lingo.md). # Dscout glossary Welcome to Dscout! Now that you've created an account, you may find yourself wondering about some of Dscout's verbiage and lingo. Consider this your go-to glossary for all the unique terms and aspects that define our platform! ## What's an application? An application, found on the Explore tab, is how you put your name in the hat to be selected for a paid Diary or interview study. Applications are unpaid as these are used to determine if you're a good fit for the research study or not. Read more about applications here. ## What's a study? A study is the adventure you'll go on while using the Dscout app! A study can be made up of multiple activities, or it might be a one-on-one video call with a researcher. Completing an activity usually involves answering the same series of questions a few times over a couple of days. You'll record your experiences and opinions using some combination of video, pictures, and text. Each time you answer all the questions in a study activity, we call that "creating an entry”. Be sure to follow all of the instructions in the activities and complete them within their timeframe to earn your reward! ## What's an activity? Studies are made up of activity (they can have one or multiple). Each activity has its own instructions, unique questions and timeframe. Completing an activity usually involves answering the same series of questions a few times over a couple of days. You'll record your experiences and opinions using some combination of video, pictures, and text. Each time you answer all the questions in an activity, we call that "creating an entry.” ## What's an entry? An entry is the set of answers you provide while completing a study activity. A lot of the time, you'll submit multiple entries while on a single study activity. Each time you take a video and answer a series of questions about what you're doing in the video, you're creating an entry. ## Who are study leaders? Study leaders are the folks in charge. They're the ones reviewing your entries and making sure you've completed everything you need to in order to be paid. They're also available in case you have questions that aren't answered in the study overview or activity instructions, or if you have trouble completing a study. You can contact yours by tapping the "Messages" tab (message bubble icon in the top right corner) while viewing a study. ## What's an interview study? An interview study is a research session where scouts and study leaders engage in one-on-one remote video with each other. Depending on the study type, you may be completing your interview session from the Dscout mobile app (mobile interview) or from a desktop computer or laptop (desktop interview). Check your invitation to confirm which type you're participating in! ## What's a single-session study? If you're eligible for single-session studies, you can find these on the Explore tab just above applications. These are quick studies that pay out a small reward in an hour or less! Note that you'll need to qualify to participate, complete the entire study, and pass our ML (machine learning) quality assessment to be approved for payment. We'll let you know automatically if you're approved in the app! Single-session studies come in a few forms—usability tests, media surveys, intercept studies, and AI moderated studies—each completed in one sitting: ### What's a usability test? In a usability test, you complete tasks on a website, app, or prototype (often while sharing your screen) and share your thoughts so researchers can see how easy it is to use. ### What's a media survey? In a media survey, you view media—like videos, ads, or images—and answer questions about your reactions to it. ### What's an intercept study? In an intercept study, you share in-the-moment feedback while browsing on your desktop or laptop using the Dscout browser extension. Learn more in the [Intercept studies FAQ](/account-settings/dscout-xt/intercept-studies-faq.md). ### What's an AI moderated study? In an AI moderated study, you have a real-time, spoken conversation with an AI moderator right in your desktop web browser—no mobile app needed. You talk through the questions out loud while your screen, camera, and microphone are recorded, and you can choose from 26 session languages. Learn more in [What are AI moderated studies?](/ai-moderated-studies/what-are-ai-moderated-studies.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://participanthelp.dscout.com/getting-started/dscout-overview/a-scouts-guide-to-dscout-lingo.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.