Detecting and Preventing Imposter Participants: Methods and Recommendations for Qualitative Researchers

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many qualitative researchers were forced to alter their data collection methods as traditional face-to-face interviews and focus groups were prohibited by social distancing requirements. While the shift to remote and digital platforms has undoubtedly provided numerous benefits, such as more flexibility and reach, it has also introduced new challenges, particularly the risk of imposter participants, or dishonest or false participants who fabricate their identities or exaggerate their experiences to join a study. Through reflection on two case studies, we identified several red flags, which we categorized according to phases of the research process—recruitment and data collection. Based on the red flags, we provide methods and recommendations for detecting and preventing imposter participants from impacting the validity and trustworthiness of qualitative research. Researchers must routinely implement these recommendations for qualitative research as technology becomes a more attractive avenue for recruiting potential participants, particularly participants belonging to populations often described as “hard to reach.” However, these problems are structural and require institutional attention. We, therefore, pose recommendations for academia, institutional review boards, publishers, and reviewers of qualitative research.