Ηow to Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Resource, Methodological and Analysis Tool in Qualitative Research?

Authors

Prokopis Christou, Cyprus University of TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has had far-reaching effects in research and the academic world. It has been used in many ways by the scientific community within the context of qualitative research, such as literature and systematic reviews, for conceptualization purposes, thematic and content analysis. It has however prompted concerns and questions about the potential for unreliable research, bias, and unethical behavior in the outcomes of AI-produced research. The purpose this paper is to examine the current use of AI in research, its strengths and limitations, dilemmas and ethical considerations from theoretical critical perspective principles, while delivering five key considerations for the appropriate, rigorous, and reliable use of AI in research practice. The first step is to become acquainted with the data generated by AI systems. The second is concerned with removing biased content and addressing ethical concerns when using AI, while the third is concerned with cross-referencing information generated by AI. The fourth step is to control the analysis process. The fifth and most important key consideration is the demonstration of cognitive input and skills by the researcher throughout the process of using AI in any qualitative research study and in reaching conclusions.

Keywords

artificial intelligence, AI, GPT, deep learning models, qualitative research

Author Bio(s)

Prokopis A. Christou is an Assistant Professor at the Cyprus University of Technology. He specializes in contemporary experiential issues, qualitative methods, and thematic analysis. He is the author of two sole-authored books and has published various papers of conceptual nature, critical perspective articles, systematic reviews, and empirical studies based on qualitative methodologies in prestigious academic journals. He is also interested in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and academia, particularly in qualitative research, and is currently investigating applications, potentials, limitations, and ethical implications of AI. His fascination with AI stems from his observation that it is becoming increasingly useful in many fields, including academia and research, and is directly linked to many aspects of our daily lives. However, it is increasingly linked to several undesirable effects, such as the elimination of human labor, the reduction of human investment in critical thinking, and ethical challenges in its implementation. Prokopis's interest in AI stems from his desire to find concrete applications for the use of AI in the fields of academia, research, and contemporary society. Please direct correspondence to prokopis.christou@cut.ac.cy.

Publication Date

7-10-2023

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2023.6406

Recommended APA Citation

Christou, P. (2023). Ηow to Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Resource, Methodological and Analysis Tool in Qualitative Research?. The Qualitative Report, 28(7), 1968-1980. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2023.6406

ORCID ID

0000-0001-6628-2619