Large Language Models (LLMs) have emerged as powerful generative Artificial Intelligence solutions which can be applied to several fields and areas of work. This paper presents results and reflection of an experiment done to use the model GPT 3.5-Turbo to emulate some aspects of an inductive Thematic Analysis. Previous research on this subject has largely worked on conducting deductive analysis. Thematic Analysis is a qualitative method for analysis commonly used in social sciences and it is based on interpretations made by the human analyst(s) and the identification of explicit and latent meanings in qualitative data. Attempting an analysis based on human interpretation with an LLM clearly is a provocation but also a way to learn something about how these systems can or cannot be used in qualitative research. The paper presents the motivations for attempting this emulation, it reflects on how the six steps to a Thematic Analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke can at least partially be reproduced with the LLM and it also reflects on what are the outputs produced by the model. The paper used two existing datasets of open access semi-structured interviews, previously analysed with Thematic Analysis by other researchers. It used the previously produced analysis (and the related themes) to compare with the results produced by the LLM. The results show that the model can infer at least partially some of the main Themes. The objective of the paper is not to replace human analysts in qualitative analysis but to learn if some elements of LLM data manipulation can to an extent be of support for qualitative research.

本文利用GPT 3.5-Turbo作为大型语言模型，试图将其应用于主题分析的质性研究中。尽管大型语言模型的应用在人类主题分析中存在争议，但研究结果证明该模型在一定程度上可以协助主题提取。本研究不旨在取代人类分析师，而是探索大型语言模型对质性研究的一定辅助作用。

Can Large Language Models emulate an inductive Thematic Analysis of
  semi-structured interviews? An exploration and provocation on the limits of
  the approach and the model

大型语言模型能否模拟半结构化访谈的归纳主题分析？对方法和模型限制的探讨和挑战