Navigating AI-Driven Risks in Early Childhood Education Research: A Methodological Reflection on Fraudulent Participation

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Sunday 11:45 am
  In Poster Session: Early Education and Child Development

Abstract

This paper presents a methodological reflection on how a research team encountered and responded to suspected fraudulent participation during an online interview study of Asian parents’ early childhood engagement experiences. Using a qualitative case study approach grounded in interpretive and reflexive paradigms, the analysis examined how suspicion surfaced, how it was communicated among team members, and how ethical decisions were made under conditions of uncertainty. Findings show that suspicion emerged following an anomalous influx of over 500 email inquiries, patterned email content, and one incongruent interview. Rather than treating this as an isolated error, the team engaged in collective ethical deliberation. The study highlights the need for reflexive practices, adaptive policy responses, and researcher training to address digital recruitment vulnerabilities.

Authors

• Timea Chen, University of Northern Iowa

• Wu-Ying Hsieh, University of Northern Iowa

• Sohyun Meacham, University of Northern Iowa