Literature
Here you find a curracted collection of articles on the use of AI in Qualitative Research
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Literature
The authors of the following articles reflect on the use of AI for qualitative research more generally.
Anis, S. and French L. A. (2023), Efficient, Explicatory, and Equitable: Why Qualitative Researchers Should Embrace AI, but Cautiously. Business and Society, volume 62( 6).
Christou, P. (2023). A Critical Perspective Over Whether and How to Acknowledge the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Qualitative Studies. The Qualitative Report, 28(7), 1981-1991.
Christou, P. (2023a). How to Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Resource, Methodological and Analysis Tool in Qualitative Research? The Qualitative Report, 28(7), 1968-1980.
Dahal, N. (2024). How Can Generative AI (GenAI) Enhance or Hinder Qualitative Studies? A Critical Appraisal from South Asia, Nepal. The Qualitative Report, 29(3), 722-733. https://doi.org/10.46743/ 2160-3715/2024.6637
Wilson (2023). Computer does qual: Avoiding AI-overclaim and false equivalency. Blog article.
In this section, authors share reflections and their own experiences on applying generative AI to qualitative research and analysis—highlighting both opportunities and challenges.
Adduesselam, M. S. (2023). Qualitative data analysis in the age of artificial general intelligence. Journal of Advanced Research in Qualitative Data Analysis, 1(1), 10-25. Adduesselam, M.S. (2023).
Chubb, L. A. (2023). Me and the Machines: Possibilities and Pitfalls of Using Artificial Intelligence for Qualitative Data Analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231193593
Morgan, D. L. (2023). Exploring the Use of Artificial Intelligence for Qualitative Data Analysis: The Case of ChatGPT. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22.
Walsh, S. & Pallas-Brink, J. (2023). The ethnographer in the machine: Everyday experiences with AI-enabled data analysis. EPIC Proceedings 538-554.
All of the following studies explore how generative AI can be used to facilitate thematic analysis
Deiner M, Honcharov V, Li J, Mackey T, Porco T, Sarkar U (2024). Large Language Models Can Enable Inductive Thematic Analysis of a Social Media Corpus in a Single Prompt: Human Validation Study. JMIR Infodemiology 2024;4:e59641 URL: https://infodemiology.jmir.org/2024/1/e59641 DOI: 10.2196/59641
Goyanes, M., Lopezosa, C. and Jorda, B. (2024). Thematic Analysis of Interview Data with ChatGPT: Designing and Testing a Reliable Research Protocol for Qualitative Research. Preprint. DOI: 10.31235/osf.io/8mr2f
Lee, V., Lubbe, P.S., Lay, P., Goh, H., & Valderas, P.J. (2023). Harnessing ChatGPT for Thematic Analysis: Are We Ready? Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26. doi: 10.2196/54974
Nguyen‐Trung, K. (2024). Chatgpt in thematic analysis: can AI become a research assistant in qualitative research?. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/vefwc
Perkins, M. and Roe, J. (2024). The use of generative ai in qualitative analysis: inductive thematic analysis with ChatGPT. Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2024.7.1.22
Zhang, H. et al (2024). Redefining Qualitative Analysis in the AI Era: Utilizing ChatGPT for Efficient Thematic Analysis. (Last revisions May 28, 2024)
These articles examine how conversational interaction between AI and researchers can be used to support and enrich qualitative analysis.
riese, Susanne (2025). Conversational Analysis with AI - CA to the Power of AI: Rethinking Coding in Qualitative Analysis (April 27, 2025). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5232579 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5232579
Hayes, A. (2025). 'Conversing' with qualitative data: enhancing qualitative research through large language models (LLMs). International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 24. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251322346
Krähnke, U., Pehl, T., & Dresing, T. (2025). Hybride Interpretation textbasierter Daten mit dialogisch integrierten LLMs: Zur Nutzung generativer KI in der qualitativen Forschung. SSOAR. https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-99389-7
Morgan, D. (2025). Query-Based Analysis: A strategy for analyzing qualitative data using ChatGPT. Qualitative Health Research, forthcoming.
Nguyen-Trung, K., & Nguyen, N. L. (2025, March 4). Narrative-Integrated Thematic Analysis (NITA): AI-Supported Theme Generation Without Coding. SocArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/7zs9c_v1
Perkins, M. and Roe, J. (2024). The use of generative AI in qualitative analysis: inductive thematic analysis with ChatGPT. Journal of Applied Learning & Teaching, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2024.7.1.2
Schäffer, B., & Lieder, F. R. (2023). Distributed interpretation – Teaching reconstructive methods in the social sciences supported by artificial intelligence. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 55(1), 111-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2022.2148786
Thominet, L., Amorim, J., Acosta, K., & Sohan, V. K. (2024). Role play: conversational roles as a framework for reflexive practice in ai-assisted qualitative research. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 54(4), 396-418. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472816241260044
These articles examine the use of chatbots such as ChatGPT to investigate their potential for automating or facilitating qualitative coding.
Anjos, J. R. d., Souza, M. G. d., Neto, A. S. d. A., & Souza, B. C. d. (2024). An analysis of the generative ai use as analyst in qualitative research in science education. Revista Pesquisa Qualitativa, 12(30), 01-29. https://doi.org/10.33361/rpq.2024.v.12.n.30.724
Bano, M., Zowghi, D., & Whittle, J. (2023). Exploring Qualitative Research Using LLMs. ArXiv, abs/2306.13298.
De Paoli, S. (2024). Further Explorations on the Use of Large Language Models for Thematic Analysis. Open-Ended Prompts, Better Terminologies and Thematic Maps. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 25(3). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-25.3.4196
Dunivin, Z.O. (2024). Scalable Qualitative Coding with LLMs: Chain-of-Thought Reasoning Matches Human Performance in Some Hermeneutic Tasks. ArXiv, abs/2401.15170.
Gao, J., Tsu, K. Choo, W., Cao, J. Lee, R.K.W. and Perrault, S (2023). CoAIcoder: Examining the Effectiveness of AI-assisted Human-to-Human Collaboration in Qualitative Analysis. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2304.05560 arXiv:2304.05560 [cs.HC]
Hitch D. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Augmented Qualitative Analysis: The Way of the Future? Qualitative Health Research. 34(7): 595-606. doi:10.1177/10497323231217392Hitch, D. (2024)
Ibrahim, M., & Voyer, D. (2024). The augmented qualitative researcher: Using generative AI in qualitative research. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
Jalali, Mohammad S. and Akhavan, Ali (2024). Integrating AI Language Models in Qualitative Research: Replicating Interview Data Analysis with ChatGPT (February 2, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4714998 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4714998
LLixandru, Ion-Danut (2024). The Use of Artificial Intelligence for Qualitative Data Analysis: ChatGPT, Informatica Economica, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 28(1), pages 57-67.
Nguyen‐Trung, K. (2024). Chatgpt in thematic analysis: can AI become a research assistant in qualitative research?.. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/vefwc
Şen, M., Şen, Ş. N., & Şahin, T. G. (2023). A New Era for Data Analysis in Qualitative Research: ChatGPT!. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 11(S1), 1–15.
Xiao, Z., Yuan, X., Liao, Q. V., Abdelghani, R., & Oudeyer, P.-Y. (2023). Supporting qualitative analysis with large language models: Combining codebook with GPT-3 for deductive coding. In Proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces Companion (IUI ’23 Companion) (March 27-31, 2023). ACM, New York, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.1145/3581754.3584136
These articles address key ethical concerns and offer guidance on the responsible use of AI in research—from data privacy and informed consent to transparency, bias, and accountability.
Eacersall, D., Pretorius, L., Smirnov, I., Spray, E.J., Illingworth, S., Chugh, R., Strydom, S., Stratton-Maher, D., Simmons, J., Jennings, I., Roux, R., Kamrowski, R., Downie, A., Thong, C.L., & Howell, K.A. (2024). Navigating Ethical Challenges in Generative AI-Enhanced Research: The ETHICAL Framework for Responsible Generative AI Use. ArXiv, abs/2501.09021.
El Morr, C. (2024). The Need for a Feminist Approach to Artificial Intelligence. Proceedings of the AAAI Symposium Series.
Floridi, L. (2024). Introduction to the Special Issues. American Philosophical Quarterly.
Friese, S. (2024). Navigating Ethics in AI-Driven Qualitative Research - Part 1: Data Privacy and Confidentiality Agreements. Blog article.
Friese, S. (2024). Ethical Aspects of AI in Qualitative Research - Part 2: Ethical and Responsible Use of AI for Qualitative Analysis. Blog article.
Friese, S. (2025). AI, Ethics, and Transparency in Research – Part 3: Writing and Reporting. Blog article.
Iyer, V., Manshad, M., & Brannon, D. (2025). A Value-Based Approach to AI Ethics: Accountability, Transparency, Explainability, and Usability. Mercados y Negocios.
Marshall DT, Naff DB. The Ethics of Using Artificial Intelligence in Qualitative Research. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics. 2024 Jul;19(3):92-102. doi: 10.1177/15562646241262659. Epub 2024 Jun 17. PMID: 38881315.
Resnik, David & Hosseini, Mohammad. (2023). The Ethics of Using Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Research: New Guidance Needed for a New Tool. 10.31235/osf.io/rbg9z.
Shah, Z., Shahzad, M.H., Saleem, S., Taj, I., Amin, S., Almagharbeh, W.T., Muhammad, S.K., & Durvesh, S. (2025). ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE USE OF AI FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW. Insights-Journal of Life and Social Sciences.