Onion
Onion
Onion
4)Research Onion:
• Describes the Different decisions you’ll need to make when developing a Research
Methodology. (dissertation-A long essay on the particular subject eg: Collage degree, thesis
or any other formal research project)
• If you work from the outside of the onion inwards, you’ll face a range of choices that progress
from high-level and philosophical to tactical and practical in nature and mimics the general
structure for the Methodology chapter
• Saunders’ research onion is certainly not perfect, it’s a useful tool for thinking
holistically about methodology
• At a minimum, it helps you understand what decisions you need to make in terms of your
Research Design and methodology.
The onion is made up of six layers, which we’ll peel back one at a time:
1. Research philosophy
2. Research approach
3. Research strategy
4. Choices
5. Time horizon
• The research philosophy is the foundation of any study as it describes the set of beliefs the
research is built upon.
• Described from either an ontological(Ontology is concerned with what is true or
real) or epistemological POV.
• In simple terms, ontology is the “what” and “how” of what we know – in other words, what
is the nature of reality and what are we really able to know and understand. For example,
does reality exist as a single objective thing, or is it different for each person? Think about
the simulated reality in the film The Matrix.
• Example: Matrix film(Reality vs. Illusion: The film explores the nature of reality and
questions what is real. The Matrix represents a simulated reality, prompting viewers to
consider the implications of technology and perception.
• Epistemology is about “how” we can obtain knowledge and come to understand things – in
other words, How can we figure out what reality is, and what the limits of this knowledge
are.
Three of the main research philosophies:
• Positivism
• Interpretivism
• Pragmatism
• Positivist research takes the view that knowledge exists outside of what’s being studied
• Research takes place objectively, and it cannot include opinions or personal viewpoints
• It states that there is only one reality and that all meaning is consistent between subjects.
• Here Knowledge Acquired only through Empirical Research( based on measurement and
observation)
• Or viewed as posteriori knowledge (not reliant on human reasoning but instead is gained
from research)
• knowledge can only be true, false, or meaningless (If not true or false, then no longer holds
grunts DISMISSED)
• Eg: whether God exists or not? Positivism takes a look from the empirical POV,
Interpretivism emphasises the influence that social and cultural factors can have on an
individual.
• Focuses on people’s thoughts and ideas, in light of the socio-cultural backdrop.
• Researcher needs to Play Active Role in this study to get the holistic view of
(Participant and their actions, thoughts and meanings)
• Example: If you were studying psychology, you may make use of a case study in your
research which investigates an individual with a proposed diagnosis of
schizophrenia.
• The interpretivist view would come into play here as social and cultural factors may
influence the outcome of this diagnosis, you may find that the individual originates
from India, where schizophrenic symptoms like hallucinations are viewed positively,
as they are thought to indicate that the person is a spirit medium.
• Where researcher would make use of the patient’s point of view, as well as your
own interpretation when assessing the case study.
when you’re designing your research methodology, the first thing you need to think about is which
philosophy you’ll adopt, given the nature of your research.
• Highlights the importance of using the best tools possible to investigate phenomena.
• Its Approach research is from a practical point of view, where knowledge is not
fixed, but instead is constantly questioned and interpreted.
• pragmatism consists of an element of researcher involvement and subjectivity,
specifically when drawing conclusions based on participants’ responses and
decisions.
• It is not committed to one specific philosophy
• It is foundation of any research project and reflects the ontological and
epistemological assumptions of the researcher.
• Eg: Trolley problem, which is a set of ethical and psychological thought experiments.
participants have to decide on either killing one person to save multiple people or
allowing multiple people to die to avoid killing one person.
• such as the one person or the group of people being family members or loved ones.
Where here we can able to alter to suit the researcher’s needs is an example of
pragmatism
• (the outcome of the person doing the thought experiment is more important than
the philosophical ideas behind the experiment.)