Accessible, not Exploitable: Navigating fraud prevention in disability research

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Health
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Disability research is crucial for policy and services.
• Survey fraud, often bot-driven, compromises research integrity, especially in small sample studies.
• Traditional fraud detection methods can exclude legitimate participants, particularly those using assistive technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the recruitment paradox in disability research: balancing inclusivity with fraud prevention.
• To propose strategies for enhancing data integrity while ensuring equitable participation.

Main Methods:

• Review of current fraud detection limitations in disability research.
• Analysis of the recruitment paradox and its impact on data quality.
• Proposal of adaptive fraud detection, participatory design, and equitable incentives.

Main Results:

• Traditional fraud detection methods are insufficient and can be exclusionary.
• Inclusive participation incentives may inadvertently attract fraudulent responses.
• A balance is needed between data integrity and accessibility for genuine participants.

Conclusions:

• Adaptive fraud detection tools are essential for robust disability research.
• Participatory design and equitable incentives can mitigate fraud while promoting inclusivity.
• These strategies support the development of effective and equitable policies for people with disabilities.