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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Abigail Marks
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This research note examines why email is underused as a source of data within work and employment studies and provides an example of the usefulness of email for gaining a more detailed understanding of behaviour in the workplace. Three main reasons are identified for the hesitancy to use email as a source of data. Firstly, the confused role of email as formal and informal archival data as well as concerns regarding the immediate often non-deliberated exchanges; secondly, issues with access to and confidentiality of email data; finally, the challenges of triangulation of a data set which includes email data. The analysis of emails between virtual team members, alongside observational and interview methods, demonstrates how interactions between colleagues via email are subtly different to the way in which organizational members describe relationships in an interview situation and reveals how access to email data provides an additional resource in understanding behaviours within the workplace. © The Author(s) 2013.
Author(s): Au YW, Marks A
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Work, Employment and Society
Year: 2013
Volume: 27
Issue: 5
Pages: 880-890
Print publication date: 01/10/2013
Online publication date: 03/09/2013
ISSN (print): 0950-0170
ISSN (electronic): 1469-8722
Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017013494436
DOI: 10.1177/0950017013494436
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