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Qualitative methods can enrich quantitative research on occupational stress: An example from one occupational group

New Developments in Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Job Stress

ISBN: 978-1-84950-712-7, eISBN: 978-1-84950-713-4

Publication date: 17 March 2010

Abstract

The chapter examines the ways in which qualitative and quantitative methods support each other in research on occupational stress. Qualitative methods include eliciting from workers unconstrained descriptions of work experiences, careful first-hand observations of the workplace, and participant-observers describing “from the inside” a particular work experience. The chapter shows how qualitative research plays a role in (a) stimulating theory development, (b) generating hypotheses, (c) identifying heretofore researcher-neglected job stressors and coping responses, (d) explaining difficult-to-interpret quantitative findings, and (e) providing rich descriptions of stressful transactions. Extensive examples from research on job stress in teachers are used. The limitations of qualitative research, particularly in the area of verification, are also described.

Citation

Sam Schonfeld, I. and Farrell, E. (2010), "Qualitative methods can enrich quantitative research on occupational stress: An example from one occupational group", Perrewé, P.L. and Ganster, D.C. (Ed.) New Developments in Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Job Stress (Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being, Vol. 8), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 137-197. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3555(2010)0000008007

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited