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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
When snowball sampling leads to an avalanche of fraudulent participants in qualitative research
International journal of older people nursing, Vol.18(6), e12572
Nov 2023
PMID: 37632269
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Fraudulent research participants create negative consequences for the rigour and soundness of research. AIMSA case study is presented from a qualitative study where the research team believed several fraudulent participants fabricated information during an interview about being a caregiver for a person living with dementia and chronic wounds.
MATERIALS & METHODS
Participants were recruited through a free online research registry. Individual semi-structured interviews were held virtually.
RESULTS
The study was paused after the nurse scientist with qualitative methodology experience identified that participants were giving illogical and repetitive responses across interviews. The team developed a revised screening tool to help reduce fraudulent participants from enrolling in the study. None of the data collected were used for analysis.
DISCUSSION
Information is provided on how the team dealt with the situation, lessons learned for future studies, and recommendations for gerontological nurse researchers.
CONCLUSION
Researchers should be aware that some participants are misrepresenting themselves for financial incentives and this can compromise the soundness of findings. Thorough screening tools are one way to identify and prevent fraud.
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Details
- Title
- When snowball sampling leads to an avalanche of fraudulent participants in qualitative research
- Creators
- Justine S Sefcik - Drexel UniversityZachary Hathaway - Drexel UniversityRose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- International journal of older people nursing, Vol.18(6), e12572
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctoral Nursing; College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001054426900001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85168918282
- Other Identifier
- 991021043367904721
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