Online Only: March 23-25, 2027
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The ancient Delphic maxim “know thyself” fits as well today as it did then, particularly when it comes to qualitative researchers in the age of AI. Qualitative researchers have always valued the need to be aware of their biases and pre-understandings regarding what they were researching, not so much to neutralize them, but to acknowledge them and utilize them in their inquiries. This is one of the distinguishing features between qualitative and quantitative approaches.
With the rapid advent of AI into research, it is even more important for researchers
to know their intentions and be transparent about them. AI will increasingly bring
into question the specific roles and actions of the researcher—what belongs to the
researcher and what is attributable to AI? Using AI as a tool in some capacity in
research projects may bring hidden structures or values into the research that the
researcher may not see or even desire. Tools used in research may unwittingly add
preferences or procedures that the researcher may not want, but the researcher will
need to “own” what AI brings in. To what extent is AI shaping research itself?
The development of AI has piqued tremendous interest in all fields all over the world.
It has also raised questions about AI overtaking human agency. We at TQR have seen
a steady increase in the use of AI in all elements of conducting research, and more
particularly in writing up projects for publication. The labor-saving aspects of AI
along with the speeding up of doing research is stirring great interest in the research
world. But what is happening to researchers’ relative influence on their own research
projects? When using AI, where is the researcher’s voice—what is the researcher’s
voice? What marks the research as the product of the researcher?
The inclusion of computer functions that aid in grammar and spelling have become commonplace,
software programs can now aid in sorting through data faster than was possible by
hand, internet search engines help find and distill previous research and literature
to build literature reviews and review methodological protocols used by previous researchers,
computer generated translation tools help in reading and presenting research in languages
other than your own, and now generative AI is able to write entire sections of research
projects with a few keystrokes from the researcher. The research world has welcomed
these technological innovations and profited from them in time and effort.
We continue to raise questions with respect to the role of the researcher in the creation
of research and its dissemination. We have always insisted that the researcher is
the cornerstone of research, inclusive of all the biases and pre-understandings they
bring into the project to make their methodological decisions. It has become standard
to ask researchers to consider their choices in what to study, what makes this study
necessary at this time, what processes should be used to inquire, what steps should
be included, who should be included, and how long should it take. But now in the age
of AI we have added new questions directed to researchers. What are the best ways
to share the study with others, What outcomes do you want and are they acceptable?
Do you want to change something in your world? Are you adding to a body of knowledge? Are you trying to empower people? Are your research projects connected in any way or is each project separate? What is your personal stake in doing this research? Are you passionate about it? What difference will it make? How is this research a reflection of you?
It does not end here. We cannot just think about current researchers only. We need
to consider future researchers and their teachers. How can we support the next generation
of qualitative researchers who are developing their skills in the age of AI. What
competencies and ethical practices should be emphasized? What are the roles of teachers
and mentors in the age of AI? What challenges are before us?
Research is a human and relational endeavor—it is not just a protocol to follow. We
invite you to bring your ideas forward to our 2027 TQR Conference in how you come
to know yourself in the age of AI and how you are in this world of research and AI.
As always, please let us know your questions and comments by sending us your emails to tqr@nova.edu.
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