Ethical Considerations for Learning to Use Artificial Intelligence in Qualitative Health Research

Bibliographic Data

ID14993732
AuthorsR Aída Hernández (0000-0003-4919-5753, University of Missouri, corresponding author), Kyle Werner (Institute of Seismology)
Year2026
Pages10497323261425889-10497323261425889
Publication date2026-03-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/10497323261425889
PMID41793252
OpenAlexW7134178342
LanguageEN
References cited27

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are rapidly expanding in qualitative health research and often promise improved efficiency or novel discoveries. However, this promise has yet to be realized, and further, serious ethical issues emerge ranging from the use of AI videoconferencing technologies to conduct interviews, AI transcription services, and AI-augmented qualitative analysis tools. These ethical dilemmas are not always obvious and require careful consideration of the ramifications of integrating these technologies in the research process. These concerns are relevant to all stages of research experience ranging from emerging scholars to more practiced researchers but are particularly significant in training new scholars who are early adopters of AI technologies. To trace the ethical issues surrounding AI in the practice of qualitative health research, we map the specific values of autonomy, privacy, validity, and equity to highlight decision points and provide a framework for navigating ethical use of the AI tools

Emerging technologies · Equity (law · Ethical issues · Health care · Qualitative research · Research ethics · Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education · Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods · Qualitative Research Methods and Applications

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