16 Introduction

In this part, we cover how AI can transform the way you approach data analysis and how it can help you make the whole process faster, more precise, and more insightful. We begin with a chapter on using AI chatbots for data analysis. We discuss their ability to process raw data, identify patterns, and generate meaningful insights without requiring extensive technical expertise. We also cover the growing use of LLM-based models for tasks like thematic coding, sentiment analysis, and discourse interpretation, referencing recent studies that highlight their effectiveness in automating complex analytical processes.

We then share practical tips for integrating AI into your research workflow including strategies for ensuring data privacy, mitigating bias, and refining prompts for optimal results. This part also introduces a wide range of AI tools to help you with data analysis from general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude to specialized platforms like Tableau and Power BI. Taken together, these AI tools and strategies, we argue, will provide you with the foundation you need to leverage AI in your research in a practical and more efficient way.