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Management of fraudulent participants in online research: Practical recommendations from a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

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Title: Management of fraudulent participants in online research: Practical recommendations from a randomized controlled feasibility trial.
Authors: Davies, Molly R., Monssen, Dina, Sharpe, Helen, Allen, Karina L., Simms, Beki, Goldsmith, Kimberley A., Byford, Sarah, Lawrence, Vanessa, Schmidt, Ulrike
Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders. Jun2024, Vol. 57 Issue 6, p1311-1321. 11p.
Subjects: Treatment of eating disorders, Fraud prevention, Digital technology, Medical protocols, Secondary analysis, Human services programs, Early medical intervention, Health insurance reimbursement, Research funding, Human research subjects, Clinical trials, Medical care, Internet, Descriptive statistics, Medical research
Abstract: Objective: Fraudulent participation is an escalating concern for online clinical trials and research studies and can have a significant negative impact on findings. We aim to shed light on the risk and to provide practical recommendations for detecting and managing such instances. Methods: The FREED‐Mobile (FREED‐M) study is an online, randomized controlled feasibility trial to assess a digital early intervention for young people (aged 16–25) in England or Wales with eating problems. The trial involved baseline (week 0), post‐intervention (week 4), and follow‐up (week 12) surveys, alongside weekly modules provided over 4 weeks on the study website. Study completers were compensated with £20 shopping vouchers. Despite the complexity of the trial design, two instances of fraudulent sign‐ups occurred in January and March 2023. To counter this, we developed a "fraudulent participants protocol" following internal investigations and discussions with collaborators. Results: The implementation of prevention measures such as reCAPTCHA updates, IP address review, and changes in reimbursement effectively halted further fraudulent sign‐ups. Our protocol facilitated the systematic identification and withdrawal of suspected or clear fraudsters and was demonstrably robust at distinguishing between fraudsters and genuine responders. Discussion: All remote, online trials or studies are at risk of fraudulent participation. Drawing from our experience and existing literature, we offer practical recommendations for researchers considering online recruitment and data collection. Vigilance and the integration of deterrents, and data quality checks into the study design from the outset are advised to safeguard research integrity. Public Significance: Fraudulent participation in digital research can have asignificant impact on research findings, potentially leading to biased resultsand misinformed decisions. We developed an effective protocol for theprevention, identification, and management of fraudulent participants. Bysharing our insights and recommendations, we hope to raise awareness of thisissue and provide other researchers with the knowledge and strategies necessaryto safeguard research integrity moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Management of fraudulent participants in online research: Practical recommendations from a randomized controlled feasibility trial.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Eating+Disorders%22">International Journal of Eating Disorders</searchLink>. Jun2024, Vol. 57 Issue 6, p1311-1321. 11p.
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  Data: Objective: Fraudulent participation is an escalating concern for online clinical trials and research studies and can have a significant negative impact on findings. We aim to shed light on the risk and to provide practical recommendations for detecting and managing such instances. Methods: The FREED‐Mobile (FREED‐M) study is an online, randomized controlled feasibility trial to assess a digital early intervention for young people (aged 16–25) in England or Wales with eating problems. The trial involved baseline (week 0), post‐intervention (week 4), and follow‐up (week 12) surveys, alongside weekly modules provided over 4 weeks on the study website. Study completers were compensated with £20 shopping vouchers. Despite the complexity of the trial design, two instances of fraudulent sign‐ups occurred in January and March 2023. To counter this, we developed a "fraudulent participants protocol" following internal investigations and discussions with collaborators. Results: The implementation of prevention measures such as reCAPTCHA updates, IP address review, and changes in reimbursement effectively halted further fraudulent sign‐ups. Our protocol facilitated the systematic identification and withdrawal of suspected or clear fraudsters and was demonstrably robust at distinguishing between fraudsters and genuine responders. Discussion: All remote, online trials or studies are at risk of fraudulent participation. Drawing from our experience and existing literature, we offer practical recommendations for researchers considering online recruitment and data collection. Vigilance and the integration of deterrents, and data quality checks into the study design from the outset are advised to safeguard research integrity. Public Significance: Fraudulent participation in digital research can have asignificant impact on research findings, potentially leading to biased resultsand misinformed decisions. We developed an effective protocol for theprevention, identification, and management of fraudulent participants. Bysharing our insights and recommendations, we hope to raise awareness of thisissue and provide other researchers with the knowledge and strategies necessaryto safeguard research integrity moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1002/eat.24085
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 11
        StartPage: 1311
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Treatment of eating disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fraud prevention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Digital technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Medical protocols
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Human services programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Early medical intervention
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      – SubjectFull: Health insurance reimbursement
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      – SubjectFull: Research funding
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      – SubjectFull: Internet
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      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
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      – SubjectFull: Medical research
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              M: 06
              Text: Jun2024
              Type: published
              Y: 2024
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