Proceedings of the 9th World Conference on Qualitative Research

Introduction: The infiltration of Generative-AI into qualitative analysis tools causes heated debate in the research community. Advocates suggest Gen-AI can do quicker and better analysis, whilst sceptics are fearful of the loss of human interpretation. The perspectives of researchers navigating the new possibilities are crucial to understand to assess the impact of tools on critical thinking and reflexivity: the bedrock of interpretive qualitative analysis.

Goals and Methods: This project explores whether using integrated Generative-AI tools can contribute to critical thinking and reflexivity. Focusing on integrations into established CAQDAS-packages (e.g. ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA, NVivo and Qual Coder), the Generative-AI enabled activities of summarisation, prompt-based querying and AI-assisted coding are investigated. Data include observational field notes, open/closed survey responses and the results of analytic experiments, gathered from participants attending CAQDAS workshops. In addition is auto-ethnographic data about undertaking qualitative analysis using Generative-AI tools. Perceptions about and experiences of using tools are analysed incrementally as they are collected, using computer-assisted Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Results: Findings will contribute to the debate about how Gen-AI can and should be influencing qualitative analysis processes, providing ongoing commentary about researcher's perceptions about the role and use of Gen-AI at three stages in their engagement with the tools; before, during, and after use.

Conclusion: New technologies provide opportunities to explore different ways of undertaking qualitative analysis. The rise of Generative-AI constitutes perhaps the most significant moment of potential step-change in qualitative analytic practice since the first CAQDAS-packages emerged during the 1980s. Yet researchers must use new tools not only because they are available, but because they contribute in a meaningful way to their process. This project contributes to raising awareness about appropriate uses of integrated Generative-AI CAQDAS tools, particularly in relation to critical thinking and reflexivity