Extension of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Guideline to Large Language Models (COREQ+LLM): Protocol for a Multiphase Study.

BACKGROUND

Qualitative research provides essential insights into human behaviors, perceptions, and experiences in health sciences. The COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklist, published in 2007 and endorsed by the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research Network, advanced transparency of qualitative research reporting. However, the recent integration of large language models (LLMs) into qualitative research introduces novel opportunities and methodological challenges that existing guidelines do not address. LLMs are increasingly applied to research design as well as processing, analysis, interpretation, and even direct interaction ("conversing") with qualitative data. However, their probabilistic nature, dependence on underlying training data, and susceptibility to hallucinations necessitate dedicated reporting to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and methodological validity.

OBJECTIVE

This protocol outlines the methodological development process of COREQ+LLM, an extension to the COREQ checklist, to support transparent reporting of LLM use in qualitative research. The three main objectives are to (1) identify and categorize current applications of LLMs used as qualitative research tools, (2) assess how LLM use in qualitative studies in health care is reported in published studies, and (3) develop and refine reporting items for COREQ+LLM through a structured consensus process among international experts.

METHODS

Following the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research Network guidance for reporting guideline development, this study comprises 4 main phases. Phase 1 is a systematic scoping review of peer-reviewed literature from January 2020 to April 2025, examining the use and reporting of LLMs in qualitative research. The scoping review protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework on June 6, 2025, and will adhere to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Phase 2 will use a Delphi process to reach consensus on candidate items for inclusion in the COREQ+LLM checklist among an interdisciplinary international panel of experts. Phase 3 includes pilot testing, and phase 4 involves publication and dissemination.

RESULTS

As of September 2025, the steering committee has been established, and the initial search strategy for the scoping review has identified 5049 records, with 4201 (83.20%) remaining after duplicate removal. Title and abstract screening is underway and will inform the initial draft of candidate checklist items. The COREQ+LLM extension is scheduled for completion by December 2025.

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of LLMs in qualitative research requires dedicated reporting guidelines to ensure methodological rigor, transparency, and interpretability. COREQ+LLM will address current reporting gaps by offering specific guidance for documenting LLM integration in qualitative research workflows. The checklist will assist researchers in transparently documenting LLM use, support reviewers and editors in evaluating methodological quality, and foster trust in LLM-supported qualitative research. By December 2025, COREQ+LLM will provide a rigorously developed tool to enhance the transparency, validity, and reproducibility of LLM-supported qualitative studies.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/78682.