Beware of the Bots: A Practical Guide to Protect Survey Data

The escalating presence of bots is a concerning trend within online academic research. Bots are computer programs that can automatically complete online surveys, and, as we found in two of our recent research projects, distinguishing between a genuine human response and an automated input is becoming increasingly difficult. Worryingly, the prevalence of bot responses seems to be on the rise, perhaps related to the latest advances in artificial intelligence. Researchers must now adopt innovative strategies to reduce the impact of bots on survey data and to preserve the integrity of the research and the validity of the underlying data. Here we share our own recent experiences of encountering bots with practical advice on how to spot them.