Error Detected: How Inaccurate Survey Responses Can Mislead Science, Policy, Business, and Society

The fact that survey data are not error-free is unsurprising, yet the extent to which errors have influenced results and mislead society and policymakers is alarming. In this talk, we will address the issue of online survey fraud, a significant challenge in social science research. This phenomenon, originating from various locations globally including India, Bangladesh, and other countries, has led to widespread misinformation on topics such as teen behavior, COVID-19, and political polarization. A highlight of the talk will involve video interviews with fraudulent respondents from organized survey farms, illustrating the nature of this problem. These insights will help us understand the challenges posed by online survey fraud and explore potential solutions. Attendees will come away with a much richer awareness of the sources and consequences of online survey fraud, and a deeper familiarity with the tools that are available to mitigate against it.