Psychology and Aspects of Bullying - Essay Example

Research Article Analysis Avervold, M. and Mikkelsen E.G (2004). Relationship between Bullying, Psychological Work Environment and Individual Stress Relations. Work and Stress, 18(4), 336-351 In order to study the relationship between bullying, psychological work environment and individual stress relations, the researcher first came up with 4 hypotheses statements to guide in the data collection and deeper understanding of the phenomena of interest. The sampling frame was based on the employees in a certain food company which had 202 staff members. The response rate was 93% since staff members on vacation and those on leave were not available for the study. Further a questionnaire based on likert scale responses was used to collect data for the research study. The use of likert scale response questions makes it easier for the respondents to answer the questions in addition to improving the questionnaire response rate (Crotty 1998). The researcher employed the use of questionnaire in this study in that, respondents respond according to their own opinions and are not controlled as in interviews and observations. The researcher had the questionnaire tested for reliability and validity. According to Greenfield (2002), for any research findings to gain the required scientific rigor, the research tool should be test-retested through a pilot study or through an expert’s forum to harmonize issues. This practice is done to ensure that the results from the tool can be generalized to fit the whole population. However, in terms of sampling, the researcher failed in that, different companies’ employees should have participated in the study to ensure non-biasness and rigidity in the generalization of the survey findings. Further, the researcher should have allowed the staff members to make an informed decision on whether to participate or not according to Denzin’s (1997) arguments. This practice is highly recommended in research ethics as it protects the participant from coercion and ensures justice of the participants. Another important aspect left out in the methodology is the fact that the participants had to be informed that the data collected from them was to be used confidentially and for the sole purpose of the study. This would ensure tangible, valid and reliable data is collected since if assured of confidentiality, then they may be biased to avoid victimization by the company. Further, a lesser sample would have been more economical in terms of time and resource requirements (Kaplan 2004). In this case, an un-biased sample would have resulted into the same kind of results as a complete count. Further, the sample should have had the same or nearly the same number of males as females. In the analysis, the researcher should have carried out a binomial test to determine the significance of the difference in males and females in the sample. In general, the research tool used is good but the sampling and research ethics impact negatively on the research results. Konishi, C. & Hymel, S. (2009). Bullying and Stress in Early Adolescence. The Role of Coping and Social Support. Journal of Early Adolescence, 29(3), 333-356 In the study, “Bullying and Stress in Early Adolescence”, a sample of 387 students participated in this research study and was from four different schools. The researcher placed certain restrictions in sampling. First the students had to be between 5th and 7th grade and had to have 9 to 13 years of age. To Kumar (1996), restrictions are normally placed in research sample to minimize the chances of biasness in the sample since if different criterions are used, the sample does not fully represent the targeted population. Further, the researcher made sure that the participants had the consent from their parents (due to their low age) and their own. Ethically, this is the practice for you cannot have the participants participate and yet they have not agreed to participate. The researcher had all the participants take home to their parents’ researcher information letters explaining the importance of the research study and assurance of confidentiality of the collected data. Students were also given the same letters for their information and free consent participation. In research ethics, participants are the said to be the most important and utmost care should always be considered if the findings are to be reliable (Norris 2002). Seeking approval from experts and authorities is a plus in a research report as readers, donors and other stakeholders have confidence in reading, quoting and also in financing a research study tools that has been reviewed, evaluated and authorized (Silverman 2001). The researcher employed the use of different tools to collect data from the respondents. Questionnaires and performance scales were used. A combination of both was said to be good and to result into tangible findings. However, the research had limitations in that; it was limited to only four schools. A representative sample would have been sought to ensure complete participation and ease of results generalization. The methodology used indicates that more future research is important with a far reaching sample. Newman, M.L & Holden. G.W & Delville, Y (2005). Isolation and Stress of Being Bullied. Journal of Adolescence, 29, 343-357 In the study, “Isolation and Stress of Being Bullied”, a sample of 853 undergraduate students participated in this research study. The researcher ensured that for you to participate, you had to have just enrolled for an introductory psychology course in Texas University. This measure was meant to ensure equal representation and deeper understanding of the research problem using the same sample characteristics. The researcher employed the use of questionnaires to collect data and were test-retested using Cronbach Alpha coefficient for validity and reliability. The results indicate that the research tools were reliable (α = 0.70 and α = 0.970). The first questionnaire had categorical questions to ensure 100% response rate was recorded. The researcher employed the use of the categorical variables so as to get as much differing opinions as possible. The second questionnaire had scaled questions where the participants were to circle according to opinions. To get a restricted sample for the research study, the research tools were administered to the students prior to the actual study. Only those who responded in the pilot were allowed to participate in the study. This was like allowing the students to make informed decision about their participation since those who felt not to participate never participated in the pilot study (Yin 2003). The only aspect of research ethics that was not captured in the methodology is the assurance of participants that the data collected would be used confidentially for the research work only. In terms of further future research, the research paper leaves no doubt that further research will be required to ascertain the truth of the assertions using a different sample in a different locality. Tehrani, N. (2004). Bullying: A Source Chronic Post Traumatic Stress?. British Journal of Guidance and Counseling, 32(3), In the study, “Bullying: A Source Chronic Post Traumatic Stress?” a sample of 165 care professionals participated in this research study. The researcher placed certain restrictions in sampling. First the CPs had to have participated in conference or course on occupational psychology in 2 years time. In this case, if one had participated in 2003, then he/she was eliminated from the study. This was used to ensure uniformity in experiences and opinions. The sample used is well representative in that it never selected people from a certain organization and labeled them as the target population. The research work had limitations in that, all the participants had a questionnaire administered and it’s like it was mandatory to feel it. This goes against research ethics in that, participants should be allowed to make an informed decision on participation and termination of their participation. Further, it is always important to make the participants aware of the importance of the study and confidentiality of the data collected. In terms of results presentations, tables are used. However, it would have been good if both charts and graphs are also included as they provide a bird’s eye view of the data. The research study is a eye opener and calls for more research in the same field. References Crotty, M. (1998). The Foundations of Social Research, Allen and Unwin, Sydney. Denzin, N.K. (1997). Interpretative Ethnography: ethnographic practices for the 21st century. London: Sage. Greenfield, T (2002) Research methods for postgraduates, Arnold, London. Kaplan, D. (2004). The Sage handbook of quantitative methodology for the social sciences. Thousand Oaks, Calif.; London: Sage Kumar, R. (1996). Research Methodology: a step by step guide for beginners. London: Sage. Norris, C. (2002), Deconstruction, 3rd edn, Routledge, London. Silverman, D. (2001). Interpreting qualitative data: methods for analyzing talk, text, and interaction. 2nd ed. London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications Yin, R.K. (2003). Case study research: design and methods. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications Read More