Research Plan
- Program of Study
Doctor of Management
- Problem Statement
The problem is that remote working can inhibit social and group interactions, resulting in loneliness and isolation among employees. I had ideas about social isolation, loss of motivation, or even work-life balance, but I chose what resonated more with me: the social isolation part. I never had a “remote job” since I worked in a hospital for most of my 20s until I started working in corporate healthcare in 2021.
The specific elements of my problem statement that are included in my purpose statement are remote work resulting in social isolation. I will conduct a study with individuals from a variety of companies and professions to determine what they have in common or do not have in common when it comes to trying to avoid becoming isolated while working from home. What can humans do to prevent social isolation, which is beneficial to their mental health?
- Purpose Statement
The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry is to delve deeper into the experiences of individuals who work remotely and to understand how they navigate their social and group interactions to prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation. By exploring this topic, the study aims to shed light on a pressing issue faced by many remote workers in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.
- Research Methodology (Proposed Method and Design)
What strategies do remote workers use to mitigate the negative effects of limited social and group interactions on their emotional and psychological well-being, thereby avoiding feelings of loneliness and isolation?
The research method employed in this study is qualitative in nature, incorporating a thorough review of peer-reviewed literature and data analysis of previous studies on the topic. The methodology was chosen because of its suitability for exploring the complex, multi-dimensional nature of the issue at hand. The inductive and exploratory nature of qualitative research allows for a deeper understanding of the experiences and perspectives of remote workers, providing valuable insights into the causes and effects of limited social and group interactions on their well-being. The research design selected for this study is qualitative narrative inquiry. This method was chosen for its ability to delve into the personal experiences and perspectives of remote workers, allowing for a deeper understanding of the issue at hand. Qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviews and focus groups, provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to discuss their experiences, offering valuable insights into the ways in which remote work affects their emotional and psychological well-being. The inductive and exploratory nature of qualitative research allows for a deeper understanding of the diversity of perspectives among remote workers, illuminating the many ways in which remote work influences their well-being and the strategies they employ to mitigate its negative effects (Doyle et al., 2020).
This study will employ a qualitative research approach, specifically the narrative inquiry method. This method is well-suited for this investigation as it allows for the examination of diverse points of view and encourages the development of narratives that illuminate the experiences of remote workers. In-depth interviews and focus groups will be conducted to gather data and provide a wealth of information that can be used to understand remote workers’ perspectives and experiences.
- Research Population and Sample and Other Data Sources
Describe the population by discussing the criteria for selecting the study participants. Additionally, describe the sample size and describe the rationale for the sample size. If the study will include archival data, briefly explain the proposed data sources.
- Significance of the Study
The significance of studying workplace isolation among remote workers cannot be overstated. This research is of great importance to the scholarly community, human resources, and workplace management practitioners, and leaders in the field of remote work. Firstly, it will contribute to the advancement of our understanding of remote work’s psychological and social effects and help prevent and address workplace isolation among remote workers. Secondly, it will inform policies related to remote work and create a supportive work environment for remote employees. Thirdly, it will provide valuable insights to leaders in the field of remote work, allowing them to better understand the issues of workplace isolation and how to prevent it from occurring.
Furthermore, this research has the potential to promote the development of effective strategies to support remote workers and improve their well-being. By providing evidence-based strategies for remote workers to reduce workplace isolation and improve work engagement, the study can enhance remote employees’ overall performance and satisfaction. This research could also be used by businesses to better understand the needs of their remote employees and design better strategies to ensure that remote workers feel supported and connected to their colleagues.
Finally, the results from this study could inform further research into the impact of technology on remote work and how it can be used to improve the remote workers’ experience. By providing guidance to employers on how best to support remote workers and identifying any potential risks associated with remote work, the study can help leaders in the field of remote work create a safe, productive, and healthy work environment for remote employees. The study of workplace isolation among remote workers is of great significance, and its results have the potential to bring about positive change in the remote work community and improve the well- being of remote workers.
- Research Questions/Hypotheses
State the proposed research question and hypotheses, when appropriate. Review the “Research Questions/Hypotheses” section of the “Research Design Selection” and “Alignment” section associated with the proposed design to ensure alignment.
What strategies do remote workers use to mitigate the negative effects of limited social and group interactions on their emotional and psychological well-being, thereby avoiding feelings of loneliness and isolation?
- Topic Literature
Provide a list of 5 to 10 references in APA format that are relevant to the proposed study. Include 1 or 2 sentences with each reference to describe the relevance of the literature to the proposed study.
- Topic Theories
Review research literature associated with the selected research topic(s) and state up to 3 relevant theories associated with the topics. This step will become the basis for the conceptual or theoretical framework, which will become more fully developed in chapters 1 and 2 of the proposal.
- Research Data Collection Strategy
Briefly describe the proposed process for collecting these data from the research sample and from any archival sources described in item 5.
