Journal article
Methods to reduce fraudulent participation and highlight autistic voices in research
Autism : the international journal of research and practice
24 Nov 2024
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Alongside the rise in online qualitative research, fraudulent representation of research participants is increasing, and current strategies to address this issue within studies of non-neurodiverse samples may exclude autistic voices. Seeking to reduce fraudulent or “scammer” participation in our focus group study, and increase data validity and expenditure efficiency, we implemented strategies suggested in the literature and tested additional strategies. This research adds to the growing conversation around best practices for reducing scammers in autism research using online methods by (1) providing data evaluating the utility of existing strategies; (2) testing emerging strategies; and (3) discussing ethical dilemmas involved in addressing scammers in studies. We received over 200 expressions of interest and the established strategies suggested in the literature plus emerging strategies proved critical for mitigating the enrollment of scammers in focus groups. Protecting the integrity of data about human subjects from fraud is essential for rigorous autism research; trustworthy conclusions cannot be otherwise drawn from analysis. However, the strategies inherently require subjective decision-making that could systematically exclude participants with more limited or atypical communication and result in unfair subject selection. Procedures we recommend incur resources and are time consuming but are beneficial to ensure data integrity and inclusivity.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Methods to reduce fraudulent participation and highlight autistic voices in research
- Creators
- Meghan E Carey - Drexel UniversityKiley J McLean - Drexel UniversityKyle Chvasta - Drexel UniversityAshley de Marchena - Drexel UniversityAnne M Roux - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Autism : the international journal of research and practice
- Publisher
- SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): UT6MC45902
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This pro-ject is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under cooperative agreement UT6MC45902 Autism Transitions Research Project. The information, content, and/or con-clusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001362225900001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85210074527
- Other Identifier
- 991021963113004721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychology, Developmental