Research and Information Gathering

Assignment 1
 Research and Information Gathering

Assignment 1

By: ______________

ACOL 202 - Research and Information Gathering

March 03, 2019

Title: Assignment 1 (Research Onion Model by Saunders & Lewis)

Introduction:

Research Onion Model consists of the number of steps implemented by the researcher in their

study to identify problem statement to get objectives. This is a systematic method to investigate

any matter critically. It is called Onion Research model due to few layers in research; the main

layers in the Research Onion is research philosophy, research approaches, strategy, choices, time

horizon, and techniques and methods of data collection (Saunders, Lewis, & Thomhil, 2007).

This aim of the essay to investigate Research Onion Model by taking the theme of EMIRATES

as an organization.

In research, an idea about the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data is collected. A

research philosophy refers to the set of principles regarding the character of the truth being

examined. The assumptions created by an inquiry philosophy give the justification for the way

the research is undertaken. In the analysis, philosophies will disagree on the goals of research

and on the most effective method which may be familiar attain these goals, Therefore,

understanding the research philosophy being used will facilitate explain the assumptions inherent

within the research process and the way this fits the methodology getting used. The first layer of

Onion research is Philosophy of research i.e. few research philosophies are; Positivism: The

research based on stable reality; Realism: The research refers to scientific knowledge;

Interpretative: included interpretation of any phenomena; Objectivism: Based on objectives.

The Onion model has second layer deals with two approaches of this research: Deductive

approach refers to research from general to particular, hypotheses check and then concluded.

Inductive approach belongs to empirical observation to a result. From specific to general (Myers,

2009).
Sauder et al., (2007) discussed Qualitative Research focused on theoretical or textual aspects

rather than statistical inference e.g. opinion, behavior, and attitude while Quantitative Research

focused on numbers and figures, in the basis of data to create empirical evidence.

The third layer by Research Onion Model comprises different strategies of research e.g.

Experimental research belongs to physical or experimental researches to check the impact of

different factors. Survey Research refers to the selection of small/big samples of the population

to identify correlations, significance, and relative incidences, distribution among political and

socio-economic factors. Case study is a detailed study of social unit i.e. person, firm, company or

any organization to assess their real-life situations; Action research refers to particular projects or

any problem; Grounded Theory consists of a qualitative analysis of any research study;

Ethnography is unique quality research refers to actual information of a particular group or

human.

The fourth layer of Onion research are Choices refers to the given options e.g. Mono, mixed and

multimethod. The mono-method takes one research method, mixed method intakes qualitative

and quantitative method and multi-method where all research methods are adopted.

The theme study EMIRATES uses a mixed methodology choice to assess the challenges and

opportunities of an organization.

The fifth layer of Onion research is Time Horizon includes fixed targeted time to conduct the

research e.g. Cross-Sectional study is based on fixed time-period. Longitudinal study where no

time limit for data analysis, collection, and completion of analysis.

Sauder et al., (2007) explained the sixth layer of Onion research is the collection of data refers to;

Primary Data where the collection of data through surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.
Secondary Data belongs to collecting data through websites, journals, books, newspaper, reports,

and publications.

Finally, the last layer is Research Design methodology and techniques of research to achieve the

objectives. The exploratory study refers to new findings, evidence, and new insights. Descriptive

Study included a real picture of any person, object, or firm with features. The explanatory study

refers to the explanation of the current situation in the real world.

The sample is a small part of the whole population e.g. selection of 300 samples of 1 million

population. Sampling techniques, first one is Probability sampling where each object has equal

chances of selection and non-probability sampling reflects the selection of few objects.

In this study, the various stages of the analysis onion were represented. Given the analysis onion

contains completely different stages of the many research projects and may be effectively

custom-made to different models, this report has essentially been additive and restricted

thorough. However, the stages outlined (by Saunders et al. (2007) are expounded upon, and

therefore the utility of the staged development of the onion demonstrated. The foremost effective

model of its effectiveness, however, lies in its use.

References

Awurigwe, F. (2015). An investigation into Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies for Oil

and Gas Companies in Nigeria: A Case Study of Chevron Niger Delta. Unpublished Thesis

Paper

Bryson, B. (1995) Research Onion Model Implications, London, Minerva.

Mark Saunders, et al., (2009). Research Methods for Business Students. Fifth ed. United

Kingdom: Momox Pvt. Ltd.