Misrepresentation by online study participants—a threat to data integrity

French, Blandine; Babbage, Camilla; Cassidy, Sarah; Rennick-Egglestone, Stefan

Abstract

As a group of researchers experienced in collecting health research data using online methods, we have become increasingly concerned with the problem of participants misrepresenting themselves within our studies. Forms of misrepresentation include participants providing false information against inclusion criteria or creating multiple online personas to participate in a study multiple times.

Citation

French, B., Babbage, C., Cassidy, S., & Rennick-Egglestone, S. (2025). Misrepresentation by online study participants—a threat to data integrity. Lancet Psychiatry, 12(3), 168-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366%2824%2900359-6

• Journal Article Type: Commentary
• Acceptance Date: Oct 17, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Nov 25, 2024
• Publication Date: 2025-03
• Deposit Date: Oct 21, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 26, 2025
• Journal: The Lancet Psychiatry
• Print ISSN: 2215-0366
• Electronic ISSN: 2215-0374
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 168-170
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366%2824%2900359-6
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40855402
• Publisher URL: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(24)00359-6/abstract