Is being a participant in a research study ( university of pittsburgh) using me as a guinea pig considered self employment

[Opus 17]

No.  Any stipend is "other income," and not self-employment, even if reported on a 1099-NEC.  When you enter the income, answer any testing questions as no (not work, not intended to earn a profit, etc.).  There also should be a box to check under "special circumstances" for medical study. 

[RayW7]

Although this money you earn is intended to ease the financial burden of attending college, the income is fully taxable on your tax return.   When you prepare your tax return, you should include the earnings on 1040 line 8, as Other Income.

[edited 1/29/2021|14:40 PST]

@boobadoo1969 

[Opus 17]

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@RayW7 wrote:

Although this money you earn is intended to ease the financial burden of attending college, the income is fully taxable on your tax return just like any other employment earnings. When you prepare your tax return, you must include these amounts on the appropriate line for wages and salary.

Your question made me smile, wish you the best!

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No.  Income paid to a research participant is taxable income, but it is not earned income from performing a trade or service (unless the research participant does the activity as an ongoing trade or business).  It is not wages, not reported on a schedule C, not entered on the form 1040 line for wages, and not subject to self employment tax.  It would be reported on schedule 1, line 8. 

See for example, 

https://www.irs.gov/pub/lanoa/pmta01353_7356.pdf

https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2009/jul/20091639.html (referencing PLR 9106004, which I can't seem to find)

[Hal_Al]

It can be self employment, depending on how often you did it.  For a  one time study, probably not.  But, it is taxable income.  If you were issues a form 1099-NEC, the IRS will be expecting it to be reported as self employment.  To report it, otherwise, will require a work around in TurboTax.

[Opus 17]

Turbotax changed the interview after the 1099-NEC was released.  If this WAS a 1099-NEC, I recommend entering it as if it was a 1099-MISC with the income in box 3, and check the box for research study on the next page.