Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews
Artificially intelligent (AI) tools hold significant potential for researchers during the processes of qualitative literature review. Beyond only literature retrieval, some AI tools describe their use-value as being able to appraise and synthesise contrasting evidence within and across papers; work...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251316249 |
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| author | Kristen Foley Caitlan McLean Reece De Zylva Gregorius Asa Jordana Maio Samantha Batchelor Gideon Dzando Ahmad Dimassi |
| author_facet | Kristen Foley Caitlan McLean Reece De Zylva Gregorius Asa Jordana Maio Samantha Batchelor Gideon Dzando Ahmad Dimassi |
| author_sort | Kristen Foley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Artificially intelligent (AI) tools hold significant potential for researchers during the processes of qualitative literature review. Beyond only literature retrieval, some AI tools describe their use-value as being able to appraise and synthesise contrasting evidence within and across papers; work like ‘Spotify’ to cultivate a personalised ecosystem of research articles that evolves via algorithmic learning; and suggest new directions for research based on existing evidence about a topic and an assessment of knowledge gaps. It is critical to explore how the emergence and evolution of tools which apply artificial intelligence might nuance processes and possibilities for qualitive thinking and knowledge development. Our manuscript engages with this critical challenge by using multi-layered forms of reasoning to develop a critical imagination for qualitative researchers integrating novel forms of AI into their literature review methodology. We outline the roles and functions of ten AI tools that identify their role in supporting researchers map, synthesise, and appraise knowledge – using the citation environment (i.e., Citation Tree, Semantic Scholar, Open Knowledge, Connected Papers, Inciteful), article content (i.e., Litmaps, VosViewer), and those suggested capable of assessing the literature to summarise key terrain or suggest next steps for inquiry (i.e., SciteAI, Elicit, Research Rabbit). We situate our critical imagination reflexively within the intellectual and lived histories which contour qualitative thinking and theorisation. We further elucidate how the evolving social construction of knowledge as a cultural good, in which AI tools and qualitative research/ers are both imbricated, requires a critical consciousness capable of illuminating how AI might nuance knowledge systems in which the interpretive work of qualitative research is also enfolded. From this juncture, we discuss ethical implications of the uncritical use of AI tools during review of literature and delineate essential reflexive responsibilities for researchers who integrate AI tools into their methodology for qualitative literature review. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-64d55994ef1e41f9aa727ce4ada09aba |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1609-4069 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| spelling | doaj-art-64d55994ef1e41f9aa727ce4ada09aba2025-08-20T02:04:26ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692025-01-012410.1177/16094069251316249Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature ReviewsKristen FoleyCaitlan McLeanReece De ZylvaGregorius AsaJordana MaioSamantha BatchelorGideon DzandoAhmad DimassiArtificially intelligent (AI) tools hold significant potential for researchers during the processes of qualitative literature review. Beyond only literature retrieval, some AI tools describe their use-value as being able to appraise and synthesise contrasting evidence within and across papers; work like ‘Spotify’ to cultivate a personalised ecosystem of research articles that evolves via algorithmic learning; and suggest new directions for research based on existing evidence about a topic and an assessment of knowledge gaps. It is critical to explore how the emergence and evolution of tools which apply artificial intelligence might nuance processes and possibilities for qualitive thinking and knowledge development. Our manuscript engages with this critical challenge by using multi-layered forms of reasoning to develop a critical imagination for qualitative researchers integrating novel forms of AI into their literature review methodology. We outline the roles and functions of ten AI tools that identify their role in supporting researchers map, synthesise, and appraise knowledge – using the citation environment (i.e., Citation Tree, Semantic Scholar, Open Knowledge, Connected Papers, Inciteful), article content (i.e., Litmaps, VosViewer), and those suggested capable of assessing the literature to summarise key terrain or suggest next steps for inquiry (i.e., SciteAI, Elicit, Research Rabbit). We situate our critical imagination reflexively within the intellectual and lived histories which contour qualitative thinking and theorisation. We further elucidate how the evolving social construction of knowledge as a cultural good, in which AI tools and qualitative research/ers are both imbricated, requires a critical consciousness capable of illuminating how AI might nuance knowledge systems in which the interpretive work of qualitative research is also enfolded. From this juncture, we discuss ethical implications of the uncritical use of AI tools during review of literature and delineate essential reflexive responsibilities for researchers who integrate AI tools into their methodology for qualitative literature review.https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251316249 |
| spellingShingle | Kristen Foley Caitlan McLean Reece De Zylva Gregorius Asa Jordana Maio Samantha Batchelor Gideon Dzando Ahmad Dimassi Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| title | Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews |
| title_full | Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews |
| title_fullStr | Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews |
| title_full_unstemmed | Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews |
| title_short | Developing a Critical Imagination for How Researchers can use Artificially Intelligent Tools Reflexively and Responsibly During Qualitative Literature Reviews |
| title_sort | developing a critical imagination for how researchers can use artificially intelligent tools reflexively and responsibly during qualitative literature reviews |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251316249 |
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