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Tom and Lisa discuss my response to a call for chapters on "AI-free research", a new Routledge volume championing slow, handmade scholarship against the fast-food promises of AI-driven analysis. The resistance is understandable—AI promises fast-food solutions to problems that demand slow, careful thought. But rejecting AI entirely isn't the answer. Listen to the podcast to find out. I've added clarifications when Tom and Lisa miss the mark—a reminder of what happens when we leave AI unsupervised. Based on: https://qeludra.com/blog/fast-food-vs-slow-science-traveling-at-the-speed-of-our-souls-with-ai

In this episode, Lisa and Tom take on a series of objections and concerns that Dr. Susanne Friese has heard repeatedly over the past month in conversations with researchers. Can I trust a tool if I don’t know what it was trained on? If there are no citations, is it plagiarism? If a colleague arrives at a different result, we can talk it through. But with an AI assistant, I cannot do this.And if I have to check everything anyway, what’s the point? These are just some of the questions Lisa and Tom explore in this wide-ranging conversation about the place of generative AI in qualitative research. If you’ve ever felt hesitant, skeptical, or just plain curious about AI’s role in your research process—this episode is for you. Useful links: Informed Consent with AI Template (German): Vertraulichkeitserklärung mit KI Nutzung Template (English): Informed Consent when AI tools are used Privacy and Security Fact Sheets for QInsights Data Protection and Data Security at QInsights QInsights: Privacy and Securitiy Fact Sheet   Geman Datenschutzbezogene Angaben zur Nutzung von QInsights QInsights: Steckbrief zum Datenschutz

In this episode, Lisa and Tom discuss the article: Conversational Analysis with AI - CA to the Power of AI: Rethinking Coding in Qualitative Analysis written by Dr Susanne Friese, pre-print April 27, 2025. If you are curious to try out QInsights, to see how you can put the method into action, you can register for a free account here

Is coding still essential in qualitative research—or can generative AI offer a smarter way forward? In this episode, Dr. Susanne Friese takes you on a journey through the history of coding, its role in managing complexity, and how today's AI tools might free us from mechanical tasks without sacrificing depth or rigor. Learn how dialogic analysis with AI transforms our interaction with data—and whether the dream of coding-free research is truly within reach. Based on the blog and webinar: Life without Coding in Qualitative Analysis: Does Generative AI Fulfill This Dream? Blog Webinar Recording (YouTube)

Join us for a special live edition of the AI-in-Qualitative-Research podcast, where René van der Valk and I reflect on a transformative year in qualitative research and AI. Set against a cozy fireside backdrop with a Scottish twist with a touch of whiskey (watch to the end), we explore my learnings, and key takeaways from 2024. 🎙️❄️ Links: Podcast Episode with Christin Silver Our own AI-Powered App that was released in 2024

This podcast is based an article - yet to be published on the QualAI blog of the CAQDAS networking project. The title of the blog will be: "Embracing the Paradigm Shift: Moving Beyond Coding in Qualitative Research". Listen what Lisa and Tom have to say about it.

Curious about how to ethically leverage AI in qualitative research? This episode dives into the questions asked by researchers during a recent webinar on this critical topic. Dr. Susanne Friese answered all questions, and our AI hosts, Lisa and Tom, unpack these responses with their own unique perspectives. 💡 The following questions are explored: Are journals able to detect if a section of a manuscript/ paper was written with AI tool? if Yes, how? How secure is it to use the ChatGPT Team/Enterprise plan? They promote it by saying that 'user business data is not used to train their models.' Does it mean if the researcher writes his own PROMPTS then it can be considered as “ethical”? Will the AI model be able to identify its bias if we asked it to? Is there a risk of over-reliance on AI in decision-making? Who is accountable for errors in AI-assisted analysis? How do researchers ensure AI is used ethically and responsibly? What do we do if AI claims our work to be his? Are peer-reviewers ready to assess work using AI analysis? What do you think about students who hardly manage to pay their tution fees. How can they afford the use of AI? Are themes created by an AI "OBJECTIVE"? Can we trust outcomes? Can we entrust the big tech companies with our data? Will journals accept articles when researchers use AI?

In this episode, our AI hosts dive into a heated email exchange that unfolded after the announcement of QInsights, our AI-powered app for qualitative analysis. The debate, spanning the equivalent of 25 printed pages, is a textbook example of Thomas Kuhn's concept of a paradigm shift in action. Intrigued? Hit play and join the conversation!

This episode is based on a conversation between Sidi Lemine, CEO of Jade Kite, and Dr Susanne Friese, written up by Sidi with the title "The Great Unlearning: making the most of the AI paradigm shift" and published on LinkedIn (Episode AI Art from the original article by Sidi Lemine)

oin hosts Lisa and Tom as they delve into Dr. Susanne Friese’s thought-provoking blog on the potential for bias in AI systems used for qualitative research. In this episode, they explore Friese’s perspective on how AI, despite its impressive capabilities, is influenced by the biases embedded in the data it learns from, including human-created sources like scientific literature. Lisa and Tom discuss Friese’s argument that instead of chasing the impossible ideal of unbiased data, researchers should engage with AI interactively, recognizing and addressing biases through critical self-reflection and intentional prompting. They highlight Friese’s reminder that core qualitative research skills, particularly reflexivity, are vital for working effectively with AI. Tune in to hear their insights on her balanced view that encourages both embracing AI’s potential and understanding its limitations. This episode is based on the following blog: https://qeludra.com/blog/ai-bias-qualitative-research

In this episode, we challenge the notion of AI as a one-click solution for automating qualitative analysis, and instead, advocate for its use as an interactive, collaborative tool. Before diving into how this can be achieved, we first address a key but often overlooked limitation of current AI tools—the context window limitations. Despite being a critical factor, many users are unaware of how these constraints affect AI's ability to process and interpret data effectively. Understanding these limitations is crucial to developing strategies that work around them. Join us as we explore practical approaches to harnessing AI's potential, while maintaining the depth and precision that qualitative research demands. If you want more detail on the new approach to analysis, Dr Susanne Friese walks you through an example analysis in her blog: Ethical and Responsible Use of AI for Qualitative Analysis

This episode is based on a book chapter written by Dr Susanne Friese, which will be published in early 2025 in: Christou A. Prokopis (Ed.) Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Social Research, chapter 5. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.  This manuscript investigates the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on qualitative data analysis, particularly through the lens of Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolutions. It examines how AI is transforming coding, a prevalent methodology in qualitative research, and explores the challenges and opportunities presented by these advancements. The author argues that the integration of AI into qualitative research is not simply a technological advancement but a potential paradigm shift, requiring a re-evaluation of established practices and a willingness to embrace new approaches. As usual, Lisa and Tom have their own take on the issue. Tune in and enjoy them discussing the book chapter from their point of view.

In this episode Lisa and Tom discuss the ethical implications of using AI in qualitative research, focusing on data privacy and confidentiality. You learn about general ethical standards for research, particularly highlighting the importance of legal compliance, informed consent, data protection, and the principle of non-harm. We then take a look at anonymization and pseudonymisation and how teese relate to privacy laws, especially GDPR. In this episode, we provide you with practical guidance on crafting comprehensive confidentiality agreements for research participants, outlining key components to ensure the ethical use of AI in data collection and analysis. Here are some of the resources we are talking about in the podcast: Off-line Transcription Tools noSribe aTrain (Windows only) Buzz Templates for drafting a confidentiality agreement for your resarch participants when intending to use AI tools: Englisch: AI-Focused Confidentiality and Consent Agreement Template  German: Vertraulichkeitserklärung für Forschungsteilnehmende bei KI Nutzung This episode is based on the following blog by Dr Susanne Friese Naviating Ethics in AI-Driven Qualitative Research - Part 1: Data Privacy and Confidentiality Agreements

In this episode, AI hosts Lisa and Tom tackle the bold claims flooding the internet: "Use AI tool XY for qualitative analysis, and you'll get instant, comprehensive insights without lifting a finger." The promise of effortless analysis sounds enticing, but is it really that simple? Have AI tools genuinely advanced to the point where they can outperform and replace seasoned qualitative researchers? Lisa and Tom dig deeper into these sweeping assertions, examining the realities behind the marketing hype. Throughout the episode, they challenge the notion that AI is a magic bullet for research, and instead propose a more balanced view: AI as a powerful tool in a researcher’s arsenal, but not a replacement for human expertise. This episode is based on the Dr Susanne Friese's blog: Navigating the AI-Hype

In this episode we provide a detailed exploration of the Qualia platform, an AI-powered interview tool. Lisa and Tom will be discussing the platform’s features and report on the first-hand experience of Dr Susanne Friese with the platform, including a test run with a think tank workshop. Conversing with AI: My encounter with an Interview Bot We take a look at the potential benefits and drawbacks of using an AI bot for interviews, highlighting its limitations in terms of emotional connection and potential for inappropriate responses while acknowledging its ability to streamline data collection and analysis. The episode is about an early version of Qualia. We have heard rumors that the team behind Qualia is coming out with a brand-new version shortly. So stay tuned, we will follow up with an update.