Open AccessStrategies to address participant misrepresentation for eligibility in Web‐based research
Author(s) -
Kramer Jessica,
Rubin Amy,
Coster Wendy,
Helmuth Eric,
Hermos John,
Rosenbloom David,
Moed Rich,
Dooley Meghan,
Kao YingChia,
Liljenquist Kendra,
Brief Deborah,
Enggasser Justin,
Keane Terence,
Roy Monica,
Lachowicz Mark
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of methods in psychiatric research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.275
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1557-0657
pISSN - 1049-8931
DOI - 10.1002/mpr.1415
Subject(s) - misrepresentation , sample (material) , intervention (counseling) , data collection , population , psychology , computer science , applied psychology , world wide web , data science , internet privacy , sociology , political science , social science , chemistry , chromatography , psychiatry , law , demography
Abstract Emerging methodological research suggests that the World Wide Web (“Web”) is an appropriate venue for survey data collection, and a promising area for delivering behavioral intervention. However, the use of the Web for research raises concerns regarding sample validity, particularly when the Web is used for recruitment and enrollment. The purpose of this paper is to describe the challenges experienced in two different Web‐based studies in which participant misrepresentation threatened sample validity: a survey study and an online intervention study. The lessons learned from these experiences generated three types of strategies researchers can use to reduce the likelihood of participant misrepresentation for eligibility in Web‐based research. Examples of procedural/design strategies, technical/software strategies and data analytic strategies are provided along with the methodological strengths and limitations of specific strategies. The discussion includes a series of considerations to guide researchers in the selection of strategies that may be most appropriate given the aims, resources and target population of their studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd .