Researchers at Kennesaw State University are working to address the growing issue of fraudulent responses in online surveys, a problem that threatens the integrity of data used in public health, business, and academic research. The online survey market is expected to surpass $32 billion by 2030, but experts warn that the quality of data collected is often compromised by low-quality or AI-generated responses.
Assistant professors Lauren Matheny and Kevin Gittner are leading an effort to develop a fraud detection system capable of identifying bot-generated and AI-generated survey answers. Their project was recognized when Matheny won KSU’s 2025 College of Computing and Software Engineering Innovation Quest award.
Matheny first encountered widespread fraud while developing a clinical survey tool. “The results looked too good to be true,” said Matheny, who teaches in KSU’s School of Data Science and Analytics. “After digging deeper, we realized that nearly 40 percent of the responses were fraudulent.”
This discovery prompted Matheny to collaborate with Gittner, launching the Data Quality and Survey Methods Lab in 2022 within the School of Data Science and Analytics. The lab focuses on understanding and addressing issues related to digital data integrity.
The increased use of platforms such as Qualtrics, MTurk, and SurveyMonkey has made it easier for researchers to gather large amounts of data quickly. However, these platforms have also become targets for sophisticated fraudsters using artificial intelligence tools that can closely mimic human respondents.
“It’s never been easier to collect survey data, but it’s also never been easier to fake it,” Matheny said. “When AI-generated responses mimic real people, the risk isn’t just to the research, it’s to every decision that relies on that data.”
Gittner highlighted how evolving technology has complicated efforts to ensure reliable data. “Combatting threats to data integrity is a core part of our lab’s mission,” Gittner said. “We’re seeing more and more services that offer paid-for survey responses, but not all of those responses are trustworthy. Some come from real people giving honest answers, but others are just in it for the incentive. Now with generative AI and large language models in the mix, we’re facing a whole new level of complexity, and the risk of basing critical decisions on fraudulent data is higher than ever.”
He added: “If we can’t trust the data we’re working with, then we can’t trust the conclusions,” he said. “It goes back to the old computer science motto of garbage in, garbage out. If the data isn’t valid or accurate, then neither are the conclusions.”
Fraudulent survey responses can distort demographic information and mislead public health efforts or business strategies. As Matheny noted: “As these tools evolve, it becomes harder to distinguish real input from fake,” she said. “If you’re making decisions based on fraudulent data, it can cost you time, money, and credibility. That’s true whether you’re a public health researcher or a business executive. Imagine trying to address a health crisis using false data. You could end up wasting resources or missing the people who need the most help.”
KSU researchers are developing a patent-pending tool intended for easy integration into standard research processes.
Matheny emphasized student involvement as central to their approach: “Our lab is built around the idea that students learn best by doing real research,” Matheny said.
She also acknowledged institutional support: “That initial funding was pivotal,” she said. “It allowed us to go after the problem where it’s most severe.”
CCSE Interim Dean Yiming Ji commented on their impact: “Dr. Matheny’s and Dr. Gittner’s research embodies the innovation and impact we strive for at the College of Computing and Software Engineering,” he said. “By tackling the complex challenge of AI-generated fraud in digital data, they are not only advancing the field of data science but also protecting the integrity of information that decision-makers across sectors rely on. Their work is a testament to the power of research with real-world relevance.”
