Role Play: Conversational Roles as a Framework for Reflexive Practice in AI-Assisted Qualitative Research

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2024

Role Play: Conversational Roles as a Framework for Reflexive Practice in AI-Assisted Qualitative Research

Luke Thominet Florida International University ; Jacqueline Amorim Florida International University ; Kristine Acosta Florida International University ; Vanessa K. Sohan

Abstract

Previous literature has shown that generative artificial intelligence (GAI) software, including large language model (LLM) chatbots, might contribute to qualitative research studies. However, there is still a need to examine the relationships between researchers, GAI technologies, data, and findings. To address this need, our team conducted a thematic analysis of our reflexive journals from an LLM chatbot-assisted research project. We identified four roles that researchers adopted: managers closely monitored the LLM's work, teachers instructed the LLM on theories and methods, colleagues openly discussed the data with the LLM, and advocates worked with the LLM to improve user experiences. Planning for and playing with multiple roles also helped to enrich the research process. This study underscores the potential for using conversational roles as a framework to support reflexivity when working with GAI technologies on qualitative research.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2024-10-01
DOI: 10.1177/00472816241260044
Open Access: Closed
Topics: qualitative research multimodality artificial intelligence technical communication multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

Getto et al. (2026)

How to Write With GenAI: A Framework for Using Generative AI to Automate Writin…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (6)

Reeves et al. (2024)

Generative AI in Technical Communication: A Review of Research from 2023 to 2024

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Majdik et al. (2023)

Building Better Machine Learning Models for Rhetorical Analyses: The Use of Rhe…

Technical Communication Quarterly
Graham et al. (2022)

AI for Social Justice: New Methodological Horizons in Technical Communication

Technical Communication Quarterly
Jones (2016)

Narrative Inquiry in Human-Centered Design

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Agboka (2014)

Decolonial Methodologies: Social Justice Perspectives in Intercultural Technica…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Show all 6 →

Kirsch et al. (1995)

Beyond the Personal: Theorizing a Politics of Location in Composition Research

College Composition and Communication

Also cites 16 works outside this index ↓

10.1145/3442188.3445922

↗
10.1177/104973202129120052

↗
10.1177/23294906221074311

↗
10.1177/16094069231201504

↗
10.34293/education.v8i2.1477

↗
10.1007/978-0-585-35958-8_1

↗
10.1177/16094069231211248

↗
10.1007/s11747-019-00710-5

↗
10.21105/joss.03522

↗
10.1002/9781444392654

↗
10.1016/j.cpa.2024.102722

↗
10.1145/3282665.3282667

↗
10.1177/16094069241231168

↗
10.37514/TPC-B.2022.1725.2.08

↗
10.1016/0277-5395(88)90024-6

↗
10.1145/3453460.3453462

↗

CrossRef global citation count: 10 View in citation network →