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Identifying Fraudulent Responses and Imposters in Research Recruitment of Subjects Through Social Media
Kashica J Webber-Ritchey1, Felisha Ally, Sandra Galura
1Author Affiliations: Associate Professor (Dr Webber-Ritchey), School of Nursing, College of Science and Health, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois; Research Assistant (Ally) and Assistant Professor (Dr Galura), University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Orlando; Professor of Clinical Practice/Executive Director of Academic Partnerships (Dr Buck), and Clinical Professor of Nursing and Clinical Nurse Scientist (Dr Chipps), The Ohio State University College of Nursing, Columbus; Director (Brockway), Research & Evidence-based Practice, Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, West Chester, Pennsylvania; Manager of Clinical Operations (Ponder), Advocate South Suburban Hospital, Hazel Crest, Illinois; Clinical Associate Professor (Dr Simonovich), Population Health Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago; Assistant Professor and Senior Associate Director (Dr Spurlark), RN to MSN, Post Masters Certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs, School of Nursing, College of Science and Health, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois; Evidence-Based Practice Specialist (Dr Vancil), Ministry System Nursing Services, Mercy Health Ministry, O'Fallon, Missouri; and Senior Nurse Scientist (Dr Monturo), Research & Evidence-Based Practice, Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to describe strategies to manage bots and frauds (B/F) during online recruitment of research subjects.
Background:
Bots mimic human responses in surveys using sophisticated algorithms. Fraudulent responses occur when false or misleading information is provided to gain research incentives. This research team identified substantial issues with fraudulent responses and imposters. This issue has not been well reported in the literature.
Methods:
Nurse managers recruited through social media completed an online survey in a national nurse-led research study. A gift card stipend was offered to participants for survey completion. An unexpected surge in survey responses prompted researchers to halt recruitment. Multiple B/F mitigation and data validation strategies were implemented to ensure data integrity and are discussed in this article.
Results:
Of the 836 surveys, only 152 (18.2%) were complete and valid.
Conclusions:
When using social media for online research, incorporating preemptive mitigation strategies to combat B/F responses is essential.
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