Preventing data fabrication in telephone survey research

Not all data fabrication originates with, or is known by, the researcher. Fabrication of survey data can occur at multiple sites in the data collection hierarchy. To prevent such survey fraud, each research program must give attention to increasing operational safeguards. Funding agencies should be prepared to allocate sufficient monies to cover the costs of increased oversight. National and international standards of professionalism and accreditation should be established.