Qualitative Research Methods in the Study of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment

Abstract

Qualitative research methods have been used for over 20 years to explore and illuminate workplace bullying, emotional abuse and harassment. This chapter brings together this wealth of research, synthesizing and discussing the data collection techniques, samples and analytic methods used as well as the predominant themes and discoveries of this research. Synthesis of this research points to the bullying experience as a process, the risk factors of being bullied, reactions, outcomes, response processes and how targets resist and seek justice. Qualitative research efforts have begun to clarify other actors in bullying situations such as bystanders, witnesses and human resources (HR). Organizational policy and enactment of this policy have begun to be explored and further critiqued through these methods, as well as organizational characteristics that contribute to bullying. This synthesis brings into focus the strong contribution of a qualitative approach to research on bullying, emotional abuse and harassment and should continue to illuminate these phenomena into the future.