In simple English
This tool lets you analyse interview transcripts by talking to an artificial intelligence assistant. It reads your files, suggests codes, and waits for your approval before writing anything down. Every project stays in the exact format used by QualCoder, so you can switch between them at any time. It has no user interface of its own and runs directly on your computer. You need a compatible chat application and some caution with participant data.
What it is
Exegete is a Model Context Protocol (a way for AI applications to talk to local tools on your computer) server that bridges chat assistants and qualitative analysis databases. It reads and writes project files in QualCoder format, adding conversational coding suggestions with built-in review steps.
What it is good for
Qualitative researchers who want to use artificial intelligence to help code interview transcripts without locking their data into a proprietary web service.
- Keeps all your project files locally on your computer in standard formats.
- Forces the assistant to quote source text word for word and wait for your approval.
- Compatible with QualCoder projects so you can open them in either application.
- Requires technical setup and a separate chat client or assistant application.
- Sending participant transcripts to cloud-based AI models raises privacy and data governance concerns.
- Early-stage software with features still missing compared to traditional desktop tools.
manual qualitative coding in QualCoder or NVivo
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pipx install exegete