Networks, journeys and interpretation · Discussion-led
Researcher Judgement and AI in Qualitative Research
How do methodological commitments shape our use of analytical software and AI? Explore the researcher's role in defining questions, interpreting material and judging evidence. Examine approaches to thematic analysis and current debates about generative AI, then explain the role you would give a tool in a particular study.
Decisions about software belong within a researcher's methodological approach. This discussion-led session examines how a study's aims, understanding of interpretation and standards of evidence shape the role of digital tools.
What you will explore
- Explain how methodological commitments shape coding, theme development and judgements of quality.
- Assess the fit between a research task and a proposed use of software or AI.
- Discuss current arguments about generative AI and reflexive qualitative research with accurate attribution.
- Write a transparent decision note explaining the researcher's contribution and chosen role of digital tools.
We will consider different approaches to thematic analysis and examine current arguments about generative AI in reflexive qualitative research. Short readings and a prepared example will support discussion of the researcher's contribution, the assumptions carried by a proposed analytical task and the questions to ask before accepting a label or synthesis.
Participants will develop a concise decision note for a defined study. It will explain the chosen approach, the task under consideration, the intended role of the tool and the reasoning behind that choice. The exercise includes the possibility of limiting assistance or conducting the task without AI.
The session connects methodological discussion with the practical reporting of research. It is suitable for researchers and supervisors considering how to describe analytical work clearly, and for participants who want to examine these questions before attending the practical SAM workshops.
Who it is for
Researchers, doctoral students, supervisors and practitioners considering software and AI in qualitative research.
The teaching example
Short methodological readings and a prepared example for critical discussion. This is not a complete course in reflexive thematic analysis.
Proposed 90-minute outline
| Topic | Minutes |
|---|---|
| A concrete research question and the meaning of researcher judgement | 10 |
| Reflexive, codebook and coding-reliability approaches | 15 |
| Primary methodological arguments about generative AI | 15 |
| Screen break | 5 |
| Examine a prepared excerpt and proposed analytical output | 20 |
| Develop a reasoned decision note | 15 |
| Discuss reporting and unresolved questions | 10 |
Researcher decisions
You determine which analytical practices fit the study and what standards can reasonably be used to judge their contribution. You explain the role of software and any assistance, including a reasoned decision to exclude AI from a particular task.
Your practical takeaway
A one-page note specifying the question and approach, the analytical task, the tool's proposed role, the justification and the reporting implications.
Suggested preparation
Some familiarity with qualitative analysis. No previous SAM experience is required. Short primary readings will be supplied.
Practical questions
Preparation and materials for this delivery
Some familiarity with qualitative analysis. No previous SAM experience is required. Short primary readings will be supplied.
Course-specific SAM access and practice arrangements will be confirmed before bookings open. A course enquiry or registration of interest does not require a SAM subscription.
Prepared teaching material and practical exercises are being developed for this course. Final arrangements will be stated before bookings open.
Recording and material-access arrangements for this course will be confirmed before bookings open.
90 minutes, including a five-minute screen break.
Full refunds, including booking fees, are available at least seven calendar days before the webinar, or within 14 days after the day of booking even after attendance or resource access. One free transfer to an available published repeat requires 48 hours’ notice; substitutes require 24 hours’ notice and the applicable ticket eligibility. See Practical questions below for the full cancellation, transfer and refund arrangements.
Live online via Zoom, with automatic English captions. Use Ask about training to request an accessibility adjustment. You will be able to tell us what would help you take part, without sharing a medical diagnosis. Questions can be asked through chat or speech, and camera use is optional.
How long are the courses and how are they delivered?
Course duration, dates and times are shown with each delivery. Sessions run live online via Zoom with automatic English captions. The 90-minute sessions include a five-minute screen break; longer workshops have their own schedules. Check your selected delivery for its time and timezone. Dates labelled Proposed remain provisional.
Can I watch the demonstration or take part?
For sessions that include teaching-workspace access, your booking includes named access to the shared SAM teaching workspace on the day of your course and for the following 14 days, ending at 23:59 Europe/London on the fourteenth day after your course. Explore around ten prepared teaching datasets and practise the course methods. A paid SAM subscription is not required. The teaching workspace uses the supplied datasets only; uploading or importing your own data and starting new data collections are unavailable. You may watch the demonstration or use the included practice access. Each course states its access arrangements before bookings open.
Do I need to attend every date?
No. Repeat dates teach the same course; choose one delivery per topic. Courses can be taken separately where you meet their suggested preparation, including equivalent prior experience.
What experience do I need?
Check the suggested preparation on each course page. It explains any previous SAM experience, prerequisite course or equivalent experience needed.
What will attendance cost?
Course fees are shown with each delivery. Sessions priced at £60 standard or £40 student/access include booking fees. The student/access rate is for students, unwaged researchers and researchers personally funding attendance without institutional training support. Fees are confirmed before a session opens for booking.
Will I receive a recording and materials?
For sessions that include a replay, a checked recording of the teaching and demonstration will be shared with registered participants within five working days of the course, with checked replay captions. It will remain available to view for 30 days from sharing. Recording access continues independently of the SAM teaching workspace access period. Slides, handouts and practice datasets are included. Slides and handouts are available to download for 30 days from sharing and may be kept for personal learning and reference. Separate dataset and source licences still apply. To watch your private course replay, you will need a free Zoom account. Please use the same email address as your booking, or contact us before the course if your Zoom account uses a different address. Included benefits are shown on each course page before bookings open.
What will be recorded, and how long are meeting files kept?
We record the trainer, slides and SAM demonstrations. Participant gallery view, names and chat are kept out of the shared recording. Questions are repeated anonymously and recording is paused for personal-case discussions. Camera-off attendance is welcome. Raw recordings and any participant-identifying transcripts or chats are deleted within 60 days of first sharing the replay.
Is there a SAM subscription offer?
For sessions that include the subscription offer, course attendees receive 20% off the first eligible Academic or Professional individual SAM subscription invoice only: the first monthly invoice or the first annual invoice. Subsequent invoices use normal pricing. Redeem within 30 days of your course date. Standard pricing applies afterwards. The offer applies once per customer to individual subscription fees and cannot be combined with another promotional discount. Additional processing Credits, top-ups, private training and team or institutional plans are excluded. Repeat course attendance does not extend or restart the discount. A subscription purchase is optional and separate from the course booking. Included benefits are shown on each course page before bookings open.
How can I request an accessibility adjustment?
Live online via Zoom, with automatic English captions. Request an adjustment through Ask about training: https://samapp.bigqualdatalabs.com/support/training?reason=accessibility You will be able to tell us what would help you take part, without sharing a medical diagnosis. Questions can be asked through chat or speech, and camera use is optional.
Can I cancel my booking?
You can cancel for a full refund, including booking fees, at least seven calendar days before your webinar starts. We also offer a full refund if you cancel within 14 days after the day you booked, including if you have already attended or accessed the recording or teaching workspace. For later cancellations outside these windows, please contact us. We will consider the circumstances and any transfer available. Any amount retained will be limited to reasonable costs or losses we cannot avoid. These arrangements do not limit your statutory rights.
Can I transfer to another date or send a substitute?
Contact us at least 48 hours before the start to transfer once, free of charge, to another published date for the same webinar, subject to availability. You may nominate a substitute attendee at least 24 hours before the start. For a student/access ticket, the substitute must also qualify for that rate or pay the difference to the standard price.
What happens if SAM cancels or changes the date?
If we cancel your webinar, you will receive a full refund. If we change its date, you may choose the replacement date or a full refund.
How do I request a cancellation or transfer?
Use Ask about training to request a cancellation or transfer: https://samapp.bigqualdatalabs.com/support/training?reason=course Include your name, booking reference and course date when contacting us. We aim to respond within five working days. Refunds are made without undue delay and within 14 days, normally to the original payment method. These arrangements do not limit your statutory rights.
Can you provide private online team training?
We offer live online training for research groups and organisations. Sessions can be tailored to your research context, experience and learning goals. Ask about private online team training: https://samapp.bigqualdatalabs.com/support/training?reason=team
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YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dr Sam Martin
Sam is a digital sociologist and the developer of Social Analysis of Meaning (SAM). The platform and courses extend her Big Qual Methods work with Oxford and UCL/RREAL over the years. Her teaching connects analytical tools with research questions, context and researcher judgement.
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