Research Paper on Workplace Gossip - Considering Research Goal

Hello, I am writing a research paper about gossiping and have so far encountered some decision difficulties.

1. About the goal of the research, I have been told it should be significant, as in what can I contribute to the already existing literature. Since gossip is a universal occurrence , what kind of interesting purpose can I focus my paper on?

I have been thinking about how to deal with gossiping as employees but that just sounds somewhat irrelevant. -_-

2. I've been also thinking about writing it on gossip in general, and put gossiping at work as a subtitle. Is this a good idea considering the nature of this topic?

Thank you very much for all your help! :)

What subject is this for (psychology, communication, sociology?) This should help provide the perspective you are required to take (i.e. state of existing research, literature.) Have you worked before and what kind of gossip did you experience in your workplace?


No - this is VERY relevant. For instance, you can cover both perspectives and write about how to deal with - as an employee versus an employer. That should make for a meaty, interesting research topic.

As for the second question, your paper would not be complete without your definition of what gossip in general means or represents (to you.)
Look forward to reading it!!

This means your first step should be to find 10 articles all about gossip at the work place.

Before you come up with an idea for your thesis, you need to look at what others have done. When you write a little review of 5 or 10 articles, you definitely will start to get ideas about what questions are being left unanswered.

Just imagine how much easier this will be after you have reviewed some articles. You should read an article and write a para, read another and write another.

When you have reviewed several, you will begin to see a theme emerge. Whatever truth is uncovered in your readings, make that your focus!! It is kind of like a trick to write a great paper easily. With paragraphs about any 5 or 10 articles , some unique theme will naturally emerge.

Another good approach would be to focus on a particular kind of company/organization. You can also outline some HRM interventions that have been used to mitigate the consequences of gossip. With this topic, I would just write about whatever topic emerges in the sources (i.e. articles) I found.

Thank you so much for your answers!

I'll ask more questions when the time comes.

I'll post my research here for sure if I get a satisfactory grade. :)