Research Methods Writing

I. Topic

How does workplace aggression impact military women’s job, health and psychological outcomes?

II. Rationale for Topic Selection

Aggression in the workplace is a serious problem with wide ranging consequences for individuals and their organizations. Media portrayals highlight both physical and violent forms of aggression, but less egregious acts may be more common and some research has documented the negative effects of aggression on employee’s job, psychological and physical health outcomes (Hershcovis & Barling, 2010). The purpose of this paper is to examine research and theory bearing on aggression in the workplace. Specifically, the paper will examine the nature, extent and impact of aggression on women’s personal and professional lives. The paper will also examine factors influencing aggression in the workplace and explore theoretical explanation for why aggression occurs and how it can be curtailed. The paper will discuss implications of this work from a theoretical, research, policy and practice perspective.

III. Key Topics/Questions To Be Addressed

1. What is workplace aggression?

a. What is the nature of workplace aggression?

b. What are the different facets of workplace aggression?

c. What are particular forms of sexualized and non-sexualized aggression?

2. What is the impact of workplace aggression on women’s personal and professional lives?

a. What are the job related consequences of workplace aggression for women?

b. What are the psychological consequences of workplace aggression for women?

c. What are the physical health consequence of workplace aggression for women?

3. What factors influence aggression at work?

a. What person level factors influence victims and perpetrators?

b. What leadership factors influence workplace aggression at work?

c. What organizational factors influence workplace aggression at work?

4. What theories explain why workplace aggression occurs?

a. Sex-role spill over theory

b. Power differential theory

c. Social-psychology theory

5. What are the implications of past research and theory on workplace aggression for understanding workplace aggression among women in the military environment?

a. How does past research and theory inform our understanding of workplace aggression? What are the implication for theory?

b. How does past research and theory inform our understanding of workplace aggression? What are the implication for future research?

c. How does past research and theory inform our understanding of workplace aggression? What are the implication for policy and practice?

6. Keywords: aggression, violence, workplace, job, health and psychological outcomes.