The Saunders Research Onion is a powerful framework that helps researchers, especially those new to academic research, understand the layers of decisions involved in designing a research project. Developed by Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, and Adrian Thornhill in their book Research Methods for Business Students, the Research Onion provides a structured, layered approach to crafting a robust research methodology. For undergraduate researchers, who may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of research design, this model offers a clear, step-by-step guide to making informed choices. This article breaks down each layer of the Saunders Research Onion, explaining its components in simple terms and offering practical insights for students embarking on their research journey.
What Is the Saunders Research Onion?
Imagine an onion: each layer represents a critical decision point in the research process. Starting from the outer layer (broad philosophical considerations) and peeling inward to the core (specific data collection techniques), the Research Onion guides you through the choices that shape your study. By addressing each layer systematically, you ensure your research is coherent, logical, and aligned with your objectives. For undergraduates, this framework is particularly useful because it simplifies the complex process of research design into manageable steps.
Let’s peel back the layers of the Saunders Research Onion, starting from the outermost layer and working our way to the core.
Layer 1: Research Philosophy
The outermost layer of the Research Onion is research philosophy, which defines the lens through which you view your research. It’s about your beliefs regarding the nature of knowledge and how it’s generated. There are several key philosophies undergraduate researchers should understand:
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Positivism: This philosophy assumes that reality is objective and can be measured through scientific methods. If you’re conducting a study with measurable data, like survey results or experimental outcomes, positivism might be your choice. For example, a study measuring the impact of study hours on exam performance might adopt a positivist stance.
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Interpretivism: Unlike positivism, interpretivism focuses on understanding subjective experiences and meanings. If you’re exploring students’ perceptions of online learning through interviews, interpretivism allows you to dive into their personal perspectives.
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Pragmatism: This philosophy is flexible, combining elements of positivism and interpretivism. If your research question demands both quantitative data (e.g., test scores) and qualitative insights (e.g., student opinions), pragmatism is a practical choice.
For undergraduates, choosing a philosophy depends on your research question. Ask yourself: Are you seeking objective facts, subjective experiences, or a mix of both? Your philosophy sets the foundation for the rest of your research design.
Layer 2: Research Approach
The next layer is the research approach, which determines how you develop or test theories. There are three main approaches:
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Deductive: You start with a theory or hypothesis and test it through data collection. For instance, you might hypothesize that group study improves academic performance and then collect data to confirm or refute this.
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Inductive: You collect data first and then develop a theory based on patterns you observe. For example, interviewing students about their study habits might lead you to identify new factors influencing performance.
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Abductive: This combines deductive and inductive approaches, starting with observations and refining them with existing theories. It’s less common but useful for exploratory studies.
Undergraduates often find deductive approaches easier for structured projects like lab reports, while inductive approaches suit exploratory studies like case studies or interviews. Choose an approach that aligns with your research goals and philosophy.
Layer 3: Research Strategy
The research strategy layer focuses on the overall plan for your study. Common strategies include:
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Experiment: Used for testing cause-and-effect relationships, often in controlled settings. For example, testing whether a new teaching method improves student outcomes.
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Survey: Involves collecting data from a large group, typically through questionnaires. Surveys are great for gathering broad, generalizable data.
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Case Study: Focuses on an in-depth exploration of a single case, such as a specific organization or event. This is ideal for qualitative research.
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Ethnography: Involves immersing yourself in a community or group to observe behaviors and interactions. This is less common for undergraduates due to time constraints.
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Action Research: Combines research with practical action to address a problem, such as improving classroom engagement.
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Grounded Theory: A method for developing theories directly from data, often used in qualitative research.
Undergraduates should select a strategy that matches their resources and skills. Surveys and case studies are popular because they’re manageable within the scope of a semester-long project.
Layer 4: Methodological Choice
The methodological choice layer decides whether your research will be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods:
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Quantitative: Focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis. For example, analyzing test scores to find trends.
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Qualitative: Emphasizes non-numerical data, like interview transcripts or observations, to understand meanings and experiences.
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Mixed Methods: Combines quantitative and qualitative methods for a more comprehensive analysis. For instance, you might survey students about study habits (quantitative) and follow up with interviews to explore their motivations (qualitative).
Undergraduates often lean toward one method due to time and skill constraints, but mixed methods can be powerful if you have the resources to handle both.
Layer 5: Time Horizon
The time horizon layer addresses whether your study is cross-sectional or longitudinal:
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Cross-sectional: Data is collected at a single point in time, like a snapshot. For example, surveying students about their study habits during one semester.
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Longitudinal: Data is collected over an extended period to observe changes. For instance, tracking student performance across multiple semesters.
Most undergraduate projects are cross-sectional due to time limitations, but longitudinal studies can be compelling if you have access to historical data or can plan follow-ups.
Layer 6: Data Collection and Analysis
The innermost layer is data collection and analysis, the practical core of your research. This includes:
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Primary Data: Data you collect yourself, such as through surveys, interviews, or experiments.
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Secondary Data: Data from existing sources, like academic journals, government reports, or datasets.
For data collection, you might use tools like questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, or observations. For analysis, quantitative data might involve statistical tools (e.g., SPSS or Excel), while qualitative data could require thematic analysis or coding (e.g., using NVivo or manual coding).
Undergraduates should choose methods that are feasible. For example, online surveys are cost-effective and easy to analyze, while interviews require more time but provide rich insights.
Applying the Research Onion: A Practical Example
Let’s say you’re an undergraduate researching the impact of social media on student productivity. Here’s how the Research Onion might guide you:
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Philosophy: Pragmatism, as you want to measure usage (objective) and explore perceptions (subjective).
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Approach: Deductive, testing the hypothesis that social media reduces productivity.
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Strategy: Survey, to collect data from a large student sample.
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Methodological Choice: Mixed methods, combining survey data (quantitative) with follow-up interviews (qualitative).
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Time Horizon: Cross-sectional, collecting data during one academic term.
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Data Collection/Analysis: Use an online questionnaire for usage stats and thematic analysis for interview responses.
This structured approach ensures your research is logical and cohesive.
Tips for Undergraduate Researchers
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Start with Your Research Question: Your question drives every layer of the Onion. Be clear about what you want to investigate.
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Keep It Simple: As an undergraduate, focus on feasible methods like surveys or small-scale case studies.
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Consult Your Supervisor: Discuss your choices at each layer to ensure they align with your discipline and resources.
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Document Your Decisions: Clearly explain your choices in your methodology section to show your research is well-thought-out.
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Be Flexible: If one approach isn’t working (e.g., low survey responses), revisit the Onion and adjust your strategy.
Why the Research Onion Matters
For undergraduate researchers, the Saunders Research Onion is a roadmap that demystifies the research process. By breaking it down into layers, it helps you make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and produce a study that’s methodologically sound. Whether you’re writing a dissertation, a final-year project, or a coursework assignment, the Onion ensures your research is structured and purposeful.
In conclusion, the Saunders Research Onion is an invaluable tool for navigating the complexities of research design. By understanding and applying each layer—philosophy, approach, strategy, methodological choice, time horizon, and data collection—you can confidently design a study that answers your research question effectively. As you embark on your research journey, let the Onion guide you, one layer at a time, toward a successful project.
