Evaluating the Problem of Fraudulent Participants in Health Care Research: Multimethod Pilot Study.
Vithusa KumarasamyNicole GoodfellowEra Mae FerronAmy Lynn WrightPublished in: JMIR formative research (2024)
This study sheds light on the intricate and pervasive problem of fraudulent participation in health care research using online recruitment methods. The findings underscore the importance of vigilance and proactivity among HCRs in identifying, preventing, and addressing fraudulent behavior. To effectively tackle this challenge, researchers are encouraged to develop a comprehensive prevention strategy and establish a community of practice, facilitating real-time access to solutions and support and the promotion of ethical research practices. This collaborative approach will enable researchers to effectively address the issue of fraudulent participation, ensuring the conduct of high-quality and ethically sound research in the digital age.