SNA-SEM-M: Doing Research with AI
Content & Learning Objectives
The seminar explores how AI tools can support, augment, or transform different research methods. The covered methods include literature analysis, qualitative research (exploratory), quantitative research (surveys and experiments), and design science research.
After an introductory session, each method is introduced in a dedicated interactive session. Every method is first introduced in its “classical”, non-AI form to establish a shared foundation, before students investigate where and how AI tools can meaningfully intervene, from automated transcription and AI-supported coding of qualitative interviews to synthetic dataset generation in surveys and AI-assisted evaluation in design science.
The seminar follows a strongly interactive format. Students prepare each session by reading a designated paper and researching AI tools for specific method steps.
As the final assignment, students conduct a methodological retrofit: they take an existing published study, deconstruct its method step by step, and redesign it with today’s AI-supported workflows. They select and evaluate tools, rewrite the methods section as if the study were conducted today, and critically reflect on quality, bias, and the role of the researcher.
Organization
- Format: Seminar
- Semester: Summer and Winter
- Time & Place: In-person event (Thursday 10:00 PM - 12:00 PM) in room WE5/02.005
- ECTS: 3 ECTS
- Effort: 90 hours
- Exam: Written seminar paper and Oral presentation of the paper
- Recommended Prior Knowledge: Basic knowledge of academic research and academic writing
- Registration: To participate in the module, registration using the form below is required.