The Human Element: Artificial Intelligence Will Not Replace Qualitative Researchers.
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| Title: | The Human Element: Artificial Intelligence Will Not Replace Qualitative Researchers. |
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| Authors: | Hawkins, Robert L (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Social Work Research. Jun2026, Vol. 50 Issue 2, p75-79. 5p. |
| Subjects: | Empathy, Professional autonomy, Intuition, Qualitative research, Occupational roles, Artificial intelligence, Natural language processing, Decision making, Social case work, Critical thinking, Research ethics, Cognition |
| Abstract: | The article examines the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), in qualitative research, highlighting both its capabilities and ethical challenges. It discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT and Elicit AI can efficiently assist with tasks such as literature reviews, coding, and data analysis, yet they lack the human elements of empathy, reflexivity, and critical interpretation essential to qualitative inquiry. The article emphasizes the importance of ethical transparency in AI use, cautioning against plagiarism and algorithmic bias, and advocates for a collaborative model where AI supports but does not replace human researchers. Additionally, it raises concerns about the impact of AI on education and early-career researchers, questioning whether reliance on AI might undermine the development of critical research skills and increase pressures to prioritize quantity over quality in scholarly work. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The article examines the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs), in qualitative research, highlighting both its capabilities and ethical challenges. It discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT and Elicit AI can efficiently assist with tasks such as literature reviews, coding, and data analysis, yet they lack the human elements of empathy, reflexivity, and critical interpretation essential to qualitative inquiry. The article emphasizes the importance of ethical transparency in AI use, cautioning against plagiarism and algorithmic bias, and advocates for a collaborative model where AI supports but does not replace human researchers. Additionally, it raises concerns about the impact of AI on education and early-career researchers, questioning whether reliance on AI might undermine the development of critical research skills and increase pressures to prioritize quantity over quality in scholarly work. [Extracted from the article] |
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| ISSN: | 10705309 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/swr/svag007 |
