Top 3 Tips for Chatting with Your Data

How to get the most out of MAXQDA's AI Assist chat? 

AI Assist Chat can now explore coded segments and entire documents with natural language prompts--offering deep insights in seconds. But what should you actually ask the AI? What kinds of prompts produce meaningful results? Let's explore some best practices. 

Ask the Right Questions 

MAXQDA's AI chat can respond to virtually any question or instruction related to the active document or selected coded segments. But to make the most of it, your prompts should reflect your research questions and analytical goals. 

Here are examples to get you started:  

For whole documents or interviews:

1. "Create a structured summary organized by these themes: [Theme 1], [Theme 2], [Theme 3]."
2. "Are there any contradictions or inconsistencies in the speaker's narrative?"
3. "How could I interpret the interviewee’s stance on [Topic XY] in light of their broader perspective?"

For coded segments:

1. "Generate a two-column table: 1. Document Name 2. Key Insight."
2. "To what do these segments reveal a relationship between '[Concept A]' and '[Concept B]'?"
3. "Identify statements that support the hypothesis '[Assumption A]'?" 

Refine with Follow-Up Prompts 

MAXQDA24 encourages an iterative, conversational approach. After an initial response,  ask follow-up questions to deepen the analysis: 

• "Can you elaborate on aspect A?"
• "List supporting quotes for your interpretation."
• "Summarize the emotional tone of the statements." 

Each interaction builds upon the last, helping you form richer, layered interpretations. 

Customize Output Formats

MAXQDA allows you to specify how you'd like your results displayed: 

• Want a table? Just ask. 
• Need bullet points or numbered lists? You got it. 
• Prefer a narrative summary vs. an analytical breakdown? Just say so.  

Example prompt: "Summarize these segments in bullet points, highlighting key actions and emotional responses."

Experiment Boldly

Not sure what to ask? Try out various prompt styles - analytical, creative, and critical. The AI Assist Chat is flexible enough to follow your lead and adapt to your thinking process. There's no wrong way to start the conversation. 

In the blog article, you can find more information to elevate your research by chatting with your documents.

We hope you enjoy trying it out!