TERM PAPER

on
Research Onion

October 6, 2020
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Research onion
Research onion refers to the stages that a researcher must withstand while developing an efficient
methodology. The research onion provides explanations and justifications for every level of
methodological decisions creating maximum credibility for the research and it is adaptable for
pretty much every research methodology.

Fig. Research onion

Layers of research onion
There are many different layers to the research onion which are broken into six main areas;
research philosophy; research approach; research strategy; research choices; time horizons and
techniques and procedures.
Research philosophy
Research philosophy can be defined as the ways in which research is going to be conducted. it is
a set of beliefs and assumptions helps the researcher in the development of knowledge on a
particular topic.
It is precisely what we do when embarking on research: developing knowledge on a particular
field. The knowledge development may not always be like developing a theory but even in
addressing a simple problem in an organization there is a development of new knowledge. At
every stage of research, a number of assumptions are made (Burrel and Morgan, 2016). These
include (but are not limited to) assumptions about the realities you encounter in your research
(ontological assumptions), about human knowledge (epistemological assumptions), and about
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the extent and ways your own values influence your research process (axiological assumptions).
These assumptions help the researcher to understand research questions, the methods used and
interpret findings (Crotty 1998).
 Positivism
It is the concept which is based on the study of science. Positivism philosophy undermines that
reality is stable and it cannot be changed. It believes that the reality can only be observed and
described. Positivism states that social entity has no role and only the factual knowledge is
trustworthy. It holds the generalization principle and explains that reality can only be
experimented, tested and expanded. Objectivity is considered in place of subjectivity. Positivism
follows an independent approach in which observations of researchers are not influenced by
human values and beliefs.
The facts are quantitatively measured, and researcher has minimum interaction with the research
participants. In positivism, the work of a researcher is limited to data collection and
interpretation but the data collection should be highly structured based on large samples.
 Interpretivism
Interpretivism is a subjectivist philosophy, based on the study of the social world. It views that
human beliefs and values have an impact on the work of the researcher. Interpretivists study
meanings to create new, richer understandings of organizational realities. Empirically,
Interpretivists focus on individuals’ lived experiences and cultural artefacts, and seek to include
their participants’ as well as their own interpretations into their research.
It is a qualitative approach where the researcher takes small samples by means of interviews and
observations and does an in-depth investigation. Interpretivism philosophy is applied when
results are based on the situations. Knowledge is developed and theory is built through
developing ideas inducted from the observed and interpreted social constructions.
 Realism
Realism is a set of assumptions that we bring to empirical investigation. It an approach in which
the researcher has to follow a scientific path rather than believing in what is being perceived.
This means that conceptions and conclusions can be drawn, but if there is no scientific logic to
support it then the conclusion cannot be accepted at all. Thus, to make any concept applicable,
the research has to build up a backing for it. Methods chosen must fit the subject matter,
quantitative or qualitative
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 Pragmatism
Pragmatist ontology, epistemology and axiology are focused on improving practice. Pragmatists
adopt a wide range of research strategies, the choice of which is driven by the specific nature of
their research problems.
It is one of the research philosophies in which any concept is held true only when it generates
any kind of action. Pragmatism is concerned with the fact that no situation in this world can be
solved by following one single path. There are multiple ways of solving a single problem (Kooy,
2008). It means that in pragmatism the various approaches of research philosophy are combined
and followed in order to reach a conclusion. The research can be conducted in both quantitative
and qualitative ways.
 Objectivism
The name derives from the idea that human knowledge and values are objective Objectivism
incorporates assumptions of the natural sciences. It entails realist ontology (which holds that
social entities exist in reality external to and independent from social actors), epistemology
focused on the discovery of truth by means of observable, measurable facts, and claims to have a
value-free, detached axiology.
 Subjectivism
subjectivism incorporates assumptions of the arts and humanities. It entails nominalist ontology
(which holds that social phenomena are created through the language, perceptions and
consequent actions of social actors), epistemology focused on the social actors’ opinions,
narratives, interpretations, perceptions that convey these social realities, and claims to have a
value-bound, reflexive axiology.
 Functionalist
It is the paradigm within which most business and management research operates. Research in
this paradigm is concerned with rational explanations and developing sets of recommendations
within the current structures. It assumes that organizations are rational entities, in which rational
explanations offer solutions to rational problems.
Research projects could include an evaluation study of a communication strategy to assess its
effectiveness and to make recommendations for improvement. Research carried out within the
functionalist paradigm is most likely to be underpinned by the positivist research philosophy, this
type of research often being referred to as ‘positivist-functionalist’.
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 Interpretive paradigm
The primary focus of research undertaken within this paradigm is the way we as humans attempt
to make sense of the world around us. The concern working within this paradigm is to
understand the fundamental meanings attached to organizational life.
Far from emphasizing rationality, it may be that the principal focus you have here is discovering
multiple subjectivities. Concern with studying an organization's communication strategy may
focus on understanding the ways in which it fails due to unforeseen reasons, maybe reasons
which are not apparent even to those involved with the strategy. This is likely to take you into
the realm of the organization's politics and the way in which power is used. Your concern here
would be to become involved in the organization's everyday activities in order to understand and
explain what is going on, rather than change things (Kelemen and Rumens 2008 ).
 Radical structuralist
Combining objectivist and radical change, is the radical structuralist paradigm. It involves
understanding structural patterns within work organizations such as hierarchies and reporting
relationships and the extent to which these may produce structural domination and oppression.
You would adopt an objectivist perspective due to your concern with objective entities. Research
undertaken within the radical structuralist paradigm is often underpinned by a critical realist
philosophy though such researchers differentiate themselves from extreme objectivists.
 Radical humanist
The radical humanist paradigm is located within the subjectivist and radical change dimensions.
This paradigm is concerned with changing the status quo. As with the radical structuralist
paradigm, whose primary focus would concern the issues of power and politics, domination and
oppression. However, you would approach these concerns from within a subjectivist ontology,
which would lead you to emphasize the importance of social construction, language, processes,
and instability of structures and meanings in organizational realities.
Approaches to theory development
The extent to which your research is concerned with theory testing or theory building raises an
important question regarding the design of your research project. This is often portrayed as two
contrasting approaches to the reasoning you adopt: deductive or inductive;
 Deduction
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The deductive theory aims at testing an existing theory that derives a conclusion from broad
generalizations to specific observations. This type of research is typically associated with
scientific investigation and is commonly associated with quantitative research. Here the
researcher studies what other people have done previously, read existing theories of the
phenomena, and test hypotheses that emerge from those theories.
 Induction
The inductive theory is concerned with the generation of a new theory emerging from the data,
that generalizes from particular facts. Inductive approaches are generally associated with
qualitative research that usually use research questions to narrow the scope of the study. It
usually aims at exploring new phenomena or looking at previously researched phenomena from
different perspectives
Research strategies
This layer depicts that how the work of researcher will be carried out. Research Strategy helps to
analyze research objectives by using certain research methods. These methods are discussed
below.
 Experimental Research
It is a type of research where the researcher controls all other variables and conducts research
considering to a few variables through observation or experiment.
In this type of research results of an experiment are examined against the expected results by
developing a research process. It is used in almost all research areas, and generally involves the
examination of limited number of factors. The connection between the factors are analyzed, and
interpreted according to the expected research outcomes. Quantitative research methods, for
example, are experimental
 Action Research
Action research is used it to face real-world problems in a participatory and collaborative way
between researcher and member of organization in order to gain knowledge and to solve
organizational problems. It tends to focus on reflective process, which is a systematic practice by
which the professional practice and experience of the practitioners is assessed. This form of
research is familiar in professions such as nursing or teaching, where the practitioner assesses the
ways in which they can advance their understanding and professional approach.
 Case Study Research
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This research design refers to the full-fledged study of any situation or topic. The case study
allows the researcher to filter down a vast research field into a manageable topic. This method is
also useful for proving certain theories already existing in the field. Thus, a case study will help
researcher to explore more on a particular topic. A case study design usually involves qualitative
methods but quantitative methods are sometimes used also. Case studies are good for describing,
comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of a research problem.
 Grounded Theory
This theory is a type of research methodology which is systematic and qualitative in nature and
follows inductive research approach whereby data of the study derives a pattern as a
precondition. For example, data of an interview can be transcribed, coded and then grouped
according to the factors that are commonly exhibited among respondents. This means that the
outcomes of the research are originated basically from the research that has been done, rather
than where the data is analyzed to ascertain whether it fits with pre-existing frameworks. It is
more familiar in the social science researches.
 Surveys
A survey is a research method used for collecting data from a predefined group of respondents to
gain information and insights into various topics of interest through a list of questions. Survey
strategy is often linked with the deductive approach. It is one of the finest and economical
research strategy. You can collect rich and reliable data through this method. Surveys are used in
quantitative researches, and produce quantitative data that can be examined empirically. This
involves making a representative sample from the population (Bryman & Bell, 2011). It permits
the collection of vast data that will be used to answer the research question.
 Ethnography
Ethnography is the qualitative study of the people in their own environment through the use of
methods such as participant observation and face-to-face interviewing. It is used to explore
cultures and societies as part of the human experiences
Ethnography studies the close inspection of people, exploring their culture and cultural
processes. In this type of research, the researcher conducts the research from the point of view of
the individuals being observed, and focuses on understanding the differences of meaning and
behaviors or importance from their viewpoint.
 Archival Research
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This research is based on primary sources held in archives where evidences are extracted from
the use manuscripts, documents, videos, or other material. In archival research we don't use
secondary sources relating to the topic of enquiry. Archival Research is the investigation of hard
data from files that organizations or companies have. Telephone bills that are in the computers of
the telephone company can be the example of archival research.
This form of research involves a systematic review of literature. Archival research also refers to
historical research, in which in order to establish results, a body of source material is mined.
various close ended and open ended questions are framed in questionnaire and responses of
respondents are gathered and analyzed to find out conclusions.
Choices
This layer of Research Onion includes 3 elements: Mono Method, Mixed Method and Multi
Method.
 Mono Method
A mono method as the name depicts uses only one type of method, either quantitative or
qualitative. So, this method can further be classified as quantitative or qualitative research.
Quantitative study carries a single or multiple values that can be measured by applying various
statistical tools. The main aim of this method is to collect data that is based on numbers, and that
can be represented in a tabular format as well. This technique focuses on finding out the facts
and figures and on the basis of data analysis allowing the researcher to draw possible
conclusions.
In Qualitative study, the data collection is based on finding out the opinions of the participants
that cannot be measured in terms of numbers. For example, If the research is based on finding
out the quality of anything, then researcher is required to collect data based on the ideology and
thinking of the participants. No statistical tools can analyze qualitative data. Results are based on
interpretations and analysis by the researcher himself.
 Mixed Method
Mixed methods’ is a research approach whereby researchers collect and analyze both
quantitative and qualitative data within the same study. In this way, the researcher is able to
accumulate numeric values as well as the opinions about the topic. In this approach, interpreting
and application of statistical tools go hand in hand. If we use structured questionnaires to collect
quantitative data (numbers: who, what, where), and in addition in-depth interviews to collect
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qualitative data (words, pictures) it is a mixed method There are a number of topics that can
neither be fully qualitative nor quantitative
 Multi Method
A multi method study uses more than one method study. Moreover, multi methods are easily
understandable when it will be differentiated from mixed method as mixed method is the
integration of quantitative and qualitative methods whereas multi method research is the use of
multiple quantitative or qualitative methods. If we use structured questionnaires to collect
quantitative data (numbers: who, what, where), and in addition structured interviews to collect
furthermore quantitative data (numbers: who, what, where) it is a multi-method.
Time Horizons
This layer provides the time horizon within which the project can be completed. This is
independent of selected research approach. Time horizon can be like a “snapshot” or like a
“diary”. Snapshot is considered as Cross-sectional and Diary is considered as Longitudinal
research studies.
Cross-sectional Research Studies
A cross-sectional study is a type of research design in which you collect data from many
different individuals at a single point in time. In cross-sectional research, you
observe variables without influencing them. This study collects data from a representative subset
or population at a specific point in time. It allows researchers to look at numerous characteristics
at once (age, income, gender, etc.). It can provide information about what is happening in a
current population
Longitudinal research studies
This study collects the data for the same subject repeatedly to detect any changes that might
occur over a period of time. Theses researches can be extended over years or even decades. This
study is majorly used to study certain change or development. It often focuses on a small group
of individuals that are connected by a common trait.
Research Techniques and Procedures
Layer six of the research onion give you a fine idea of the practicalities of data collection and
analysis.
Data collection
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Data collection refers to the process of collecting information from different sources. It helps to
address the research problem, testing the hypothesis and evaluating the outcomes. Data
collection are classified as:
Primary methods of data collection
The data that is directly collected from the source through surveys, interviews, experiments etc.
is called primary data. Primary data are usually collected from the source—where the data
originally originates from and are regarded as the best kind of data in research.
Secondary methods of data collection
Secondary data refers to data that is already collected by others in the past through primary
sources and can be used by other researchers for their research purposes. It can be obtained from
published and unpublished sources.
Data analysis
Data analysis refers to the interpretation of the collected data through the use of analytical and
logical reasoning. It helps to derive useful information from the collected data. The main purpose
of data analysis is to look at what the data is trying to say.
Conclusion
This chapter is one of the interesting chapters of Business research because it involves the stages
that one need to know while carrying out any research. The research onion by Saunders et al.
works as a guide to successfully develop a research work. After studying this onion one can have
knowledge about different philosophies that carries importance in business organizations as well
as real life. These terminologies are not only used in research but in every aspect of life.
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References

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Bryman, A., & BEll, E. (2011). Business Research Methods(3rd ed). London: Oxford University
Press.

Goddard, W., & Melville, S. (2004). Research Methodology: An Introduction (2nd). Oxford:
Blackwell Publishing.

Saunders, N. K., & Thornhill, A. (2019). Research Meathods For Business Students (8th ed).
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