Introducing Novel Methods to Identify Fraudulent Responses (Sampling With Sisyphus): Web-Based LGBTQ2S+ Mixed-Methods...

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Detransition is an emerging experience within LGBTQ2S+ populations requiring sensitive research.
• Challenges in detransition research include defining the phenomenon and participant recruitment.
• Resilience in the face of life challenges is a key theme.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present sampling and recruitment methods for a study on detransition-related phenomena in LGBTQ2S+ populations.
• To introduce a novel protocol for identifying and removing bot, scam, and ineligible survey responses.
• To present preliminary sociodemographic results of the study sample.

Main Methods:

• Distributed study flyers in English, French, and Spanish to over 615 organizations and providers.
• Promoted paid advertisements on 5 social media platforms, reaching over 7.7 million accounts.
• Developed a systematic protocol to identify and exclude fraudulent responses, including virtual screenings.

Main Results:

• 957 eligible participants (69.5%) were included in the analytic dataset from 1377 initial responses.
• The sample's mean age was 25.87 years, predominantly White (78.7%) and residing in the US (73.6%).
• Over half reported plurisexual orientations (56.8%); 33.2% identified as nonbinary, 43.2% as transgender, and 40.5% as detransitioned.

Conclusions:

• A heterogeneous sample of over 950 eligible participants was obtained despite recruitment challenges.
• The study introduces an innovative strategy for sampling hard-to-reach, equity-deserving groups.
• The developed approach effectively removes fraudulent responses, enhancing data reliability.