July 29-30
This course explores the intersection of AI and qualitative inquiry, specifically through Vagle’s conception of analytic “thought tools”—where analytic strategies and processes are seen as provoking, extending, and producing insights and ideas. Rather than treating AI merely as an analytical engine for data reduction, this course re-imagines AI as an active, provocative thought tool that can help researchers navigate the complexities of studying lived experience.
Participants will examine how AI can be integrated into their qualitative research process—from the initial formulation of research questions to the iterative, non-linear analysis of data. Participants will critically assess the ethical, ontological (what it is to be), and epistemological (what it is to know) implications of using AI to explore phenomena.
This course is designed for qualitative researchers looking to push the boundaries of their methodological practice. Through a blend of theoretical seminar discussion and application, students will learn to use AI tools to engage with, rather than resolve, the tensions inherent in their work. By the end of the course, participants will develop a clearer understanding of this ethically reflexive approach to using AI as a partner in their ongoing analytic processes.
