Imposter Participants: A Call for Social Science Intervention

The rise of “imposter participants” in research—individuals who misrepresent their identities or experiences to gain access to studies—has become a contentious issue, particularly as online research methods have expanded since the COVID-19 pandemic. While existing literature suggests indicators and strategies for identifying such participants, this approach risks excluding marginalized groups. This paper reframes the discussion, arguing that the current focus on detection and exclusion requires broader ethical and methodological debate. Specifically, we question how to balance research rigour with inclusivity, particularly in health research. This paper calls for urgent sociological intervention, advocating for a reframing of imposter participation as not just a methodological concern but as a critical issue in debates about epistemology, exclusion, and inclusivity in research practices. Rather than simply offering solutions, this paper seeks to provoke a conversation about the evolving challenges of participant verification in an increasingly digital and diverse research landscape.