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Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research

Date Submitted: Nov 29, 2023
Date Accepted: Mar 20, 2024

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

Harnessing ChatGPT for Thematic Analysis: Are We Ready?

Lee VV, van der Lubbe SCC, Goh LH, Valderas JM

Harnessing ChatGPT for Thematic Analysis: Are We Ready?

J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e54974

DOI: 10.2196/54974

PMID: 38819896

PMCID: 11179012

Harnessing ChatGPT for thematic analysis: Are we ready?

  • V Vien Lee; 
  • Stephanie Catharina Charlotte van der Lubbe; 
  • Lay Hoon Goh; 
  • Jose Maria Valderas

ABSTRACT

ChatGPT is an advanced natural language processing tool with growing applications across various disciplines in medical research. Thematic analysis, a qualitative research method to identify and interpret patterns in data, is one application that stands to benefit from this technology. This viewpoint explores the utilization of ChatGPT in three core phases of thematic analysis within a medical context: 1) direct coding of transcripts, 2) generating themes from a predefined list of codes, and 3) preprocessing quotes for manuscript inclusion. Additionally, we explore the potential of ChatGPT to generate interview transcripts, which may be used for training purposes. We assess the strengths and limitations of using ChatGPT in these roles, highlighting areas where human intervention remains necessary. Overall, we argue that ChatGPT can function as a valuable tool during analysis, enhancing the efficiency of the thematic analysis and offering additional insights into the qualitative data.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Lee VV, van der Lubbe SCC, Goh LH, Valderas JM

Harnessing ChatGPT for Thematic Analysis: Are We Ready?

J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e54974

DOI: 10.2196/54974

PMID: 38819896

PMCID: 11179012

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