Using Qualitative Diary Research to Understand Emotion at Work

Abstract

This chapter addresses the role of qualitative diary research as a method for documenting subjective experiences and emotions at work. Qualitative diary research can yield rich insights into relationships, processes, events and settings and diaries more generally are a means by which to ‘capture the particulars of experience in a way that is not possible using traditional designs’ (Bolger, Davis & Rafaeli, 2003, p. 579). The chapter addresses issues relating to the strengths, limitations, ethical considerations, design and conduct of qualitative diary research. Researchers are not immune to emotion in and about their work, and the role and use of diaries in reflexive research practice are also discussed using extracts from three researchers’ diaries/field notes as illustrative examples. Empirical data from multimethod organizational psychology research into work-related gossip are also included as practical examples of using diary research methods and working reflexively (Waddington, 2005; 2010a; Waddington & Fletcher, 2005). The broad aim of the chapter is to outline and discuss ways of conducting qualitative diary research on emotions in the workplace and illustrate how such qualitative data can be analyzed.