Enhancing qualitative research through virtual focus groups and artificial intelligence: A review

•Digital FGDs expand geographical reach and inclusivity in qualitative research.•AI tools like NLP simplify transcription and thematic data analysis in FGDs.•Sentiment analysis captures emotional nuances within qualitative discussions.•Hybrid methods blend in-person FGDs and digital interactions eff...

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Vydáno v:International journal of medical informatics (Shannon, Ireland) Ročník 203; s. 106004
Hlavní autoři: Olawade, David B., Omeni, Deborah, Gore, Manisha Nitin, Hadi, Manizha
Médium: Journal Article
Jazyk:angličtina
Vydáno: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01.11.2025
Témata:
Artificial Intelligence
Digital qualitative research
Ethical considerations
Focus Groups - methods
Gamification
Humans
Qualitative Research
Virtual focus groups
Digital qualitative research
Virtual focus groups
Ethical considerations
Artificial intelligence
Gamification
ISSN:1386-5056, 1872-8243, 1872-8243
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Shrnutí:•Digital FGDs expand geographical reach and inclusivity in qualitative research.•AI tools like NLP simplify transcription and thematic data analysis in FGDs.•Sentiment analysis captures emotional nuances within qualitative discussions.•Hybrid methods blend in-person FGDs and digital interactions effectively.•Gamification increases participant engagement in qualitative research settings. The rapid integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) into qualitative research has significantly transformed traditional methods of conducting focus group discussions (FGDs). Online platforms and AI-driven analysis techniques now offer new opportunities and present distinct challenges. This narrative review aims to critically evaluate recent developments in virtual and digital FGDs, assessing their potential benefits, methodological innovations, practical challenges, and ethical considerations. Relevant literature on virtual FGDs, AI applications, hybrid qualitative methods, and gamification strategies were systematically identified and synthesised, focusing specifically on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Reddit. Digital FGDs have notably enhanced geographical accessibility, facilitating the inclusion of marginalised populations previously limited by logistical or geographical barriers. Emerging AI-driven tools such as Natural Language Processing (NLP) for automated transcription and thematic analysis, alongside sentiment analysis, have streamlined qualitative data analysis, capturing complex emotional nuances effectively. Hybrid approaches blending traditional face-to-face interactions with asynchronous online discussions, as well as gamification techniques (interactive exercises, role-playing, digital storytelling, and mobile app-based FGDs), have shown significant promise in promoting participant engagement and enriching qualitative insights. Despite these advancements, key ethical and practical challenges remain, particularly regarding informed consent, data security, power imbalances among participants, and inclusivity for those with limited digital literacy. Virtual and digital FGDs offer considerable advantages for qualitative research, but require ongoing methodological refinement and clear ethical guidelines. Future research should prioritise developing robust ethical frameworks, addressing current limitations, and further refining digital qualitative methodologies.
Bibliografie:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:1386-5056
1872-8243
1872-8243
DOI:10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2025.106004