JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Convenience, privacy, and cost-effectiveness associated with web-based data collection has facilitated the recent expansion of online survey research. Importantly, however, practical benefits of online survey research, to scientists and participants alike, are being overshadowed by the dramatic rise in suspicious and fraudulent online survey submissions. Misinformation associated with online survey fraud compromises data quality and data integrity with important implications for scientific conclusions, clinical practice, and social benefit. Transparency in reporting on methods used to prevent and manage suspicious and fraudulent submissions is key to protecting the veracity of online survey data; yet, there is limited discussion on the use of anti-deception strategies during all phases of survey research to detect and eliminate low-quality and fraudulent responses. This study aims to contribute to an evolving evidence base on data integrity threats associated with online survey research, by describing study design strategies and anti-deception tools utilized during online survey administration of the Garnering Effective Outreach and Research in Georgia for Impact Alliance (GEORGIA) – Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities project surveys. GEORGIA CEAL was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for rapid yet valid, community-informed and community-owned research to guide targeted responses to a dynamic, public health crisis. Via thorough discussion of experiences, lessons learned and future directions for online survey research, this study outlines challenges and best practices for designing and implementing a robust defense against online survey fraud. Finally, we argue that, in addition to greater transparency and discussion, community stakeholders need to be intentionally and mindfully engaged, via approaches grounded in community-based participatory research, around the potential for research to enable scientific discoveries in order to accelerate investment in quality, legitimate survey data.