Thematic Analysis and Artificial Intelligence: A Step-by-Step Process for Using ChatGPT in Thematic Analysis

This study sets out how to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the six steps of systematic thematic analysis. It leverages AI to address the limitations of traditional thematic analysis. This paper developed prompts (inputs) for ChatGPT (a generative AI chatbot based on a large language model) that are based on many researchers’ discussions and criticisms of qualitative data analysis. The contributions of this paper are twofold. First, it addresses a critical research gap by showcasing ChatGPT prompts for each step of the six steps of systematic thematic analysis, which also addresses researcher training in thematic analysis. Second, it contributes to the development of input to train AI in thematic analysis, including a description of how to familiarize an AI system with the context of a research study and the researcher’s methodological and theoretical considerations; this approach helps to reduce human bias and improves accountability and transparency in thematic analysis.