About the Journal

The International Journal of Human Post-Edited AI Qualitative Data Analysis (IJHPAQDA)  with an ISSN of 3070-3433 from the Library of Congress (USA) is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal dedicated to examining the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within qualitative research methodologies, with particular emphasis on human post-editing, interpretive oversight, and ethical accountability.

The journal provides an international platform for qualitative researchers, social scientists, methodologists, data scientists, and applied practitioners to disseminate innovative research, methodological frameworks, and applied studies involving AI-assisted qualitative data analysis.

IJHPAQDA emphasizes that while AI technologies can support and augment qualitative research processes—such as coding, thematic analysis, discourse analysis, and narrative inquiry—human expertise remains central to ensuring epistemic rigor, contextual sensitivity, and methodological transparency. The journal promotes responsible, human-centered approaches to AI-assisted qualitative inquiry and encourages critical reflection on the limitations, risks, and implications of AI use in qualitative research contexts.

Recent developments in AI have significant implications for qualitative data analysis (QDA), including thematic analysis (TA), content analysis (CA), and grounded theory (GT). Software platforms such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti, and MAXQDA increasingly incorporate AI-assisted coding, automated suggestions, and AI-generated summaries to support qualitative workflows.

While these tools may enhance efficiency and productivity, the accuracy and epistemic validity of AI-assisted qualitative analysis remain under-examined in the academic literature. As such, human post-editing is essential for ensuring robust findings that appropriately address research questions and objectives.

Coding, categorization, theme development, subtheme refinement, quotation selection, and literature integration may be supported by AI systems, but must remain under human analytical control. IJHPAQDA therefore welcomes submissions that employ qualitative data analysis at any stage of the research process.

Although the journal’s scope is methodological and not limited to any specific discipline, submissions from the social sciences and humanities are particularly encouraged, reflecting the expertise of the journal’s editorial and reviewer community.

The journal is published by Research Publication Inc., a United States–based nonprofit organization registered under Section 501(c)(3). The publisher provides administrative and technical publishing support, while all editorial decisions are made independently by the journal’s editorial leadership in accordance with recognized standards of scholarly publishing and publication ethics.

IJHPAQDA operates under a full open-access model. All published articles are freely available online immediately upon publication and are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0).

Aims and Scope

The primary aim of IJHPAQDA is to advance theoretical, methodological, and applied knowledge related to AI-assisted qualitative research while foregrounding the indispensable role of human judgment, post-editing, and interpretive decision-making.

The journal publishes scholarly work that critically examines the design, deployment, evaluation, validation, and governance of AI tools within qualitative research workflows.

• Human-in-the-loop qualitative data analysis
• Post-editing and verification of AI-generated qualitative outputs
• AI-assisted coding, categorization, and thematic analysis
• AI-supported discourse analysis and narrative inquiry
• Methodological frameworks for evaluating AI-assisted qualitative research
• Ethical, epistemological, and reflexive implications of AI-mediated analysis
• Transparency, explainability, and accountability in AI-supported research
• Comparative studies of human-only, AI-only, and hybrid analytical approaches
• Best practices and standards for responsible AI use in qualitative inquiry

Research Areas

• Qualitative Methodology: AI-supported research design, coding, and interpretation
• Human–AI Interaction: Human oversight and post-editing in AI-assisted analysis
• Discourse and Narrative Analysis: AI-supported qualitative text interpretation
• Ethics and Research Integrity: Bias, accountability, and transparency
• Applied Qualitative Research: Education, health, policy, and social sciences
• Comparative Studies: Human-only, AI-only, and hybrid analytical approaches

Additional Features

• Rigorous Peer Review: Double-blind peer review
• Open Access: Immediate and free global access
• Methodological Focus: Emphasis on transparency and human oversight
• Interdisciplinary Engagement: Social sciences, humanities, and applied fields

Publication Frequency

IJHPAQDA is published biannually, with two issues released each year.

Article Processing Charges

IJHPAQDA charges an Article Processing Charge (APC) of USD 50 per accepted article. The APC is charged only after acceptance. There are no submission or access fees, and editorial decisions are independent of payment.