Qualitative Psychology, Vol 13(1), Feb 2026, 1-5; doi:10.1037/qup0000353
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools have become more widely available, qualitative researchers are questioning the potential for its use within qualitative research studies. This editorial presents the policy that the associate editors, incoming editor, and I have developed at Qualitative Psychology around AI use in qualitative analysis. This policy complements the American Psychological Association AI policy but is specifically focused on the use of AI within qualitative research. It provides a summary of major concerns that have been expressed in the field, including ethical, scientific, methodological integrity, social justice, and environmental concerns. This policy describes why we prohibit the use of AI in peer reviews of articles as well as in the processes of conducting literature reviews, describing methods, collecting and analyzing data, extracting data from articles, drafting descriptions of analyses and findings, interpreting analyses, or as a sole or primary and/or unchecked source for identifying citations and references. It provides guidance for the use of AI in translation and for the citation of AI-developed content. Our policy will continue to be reviewed and updated as the field evolves. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)