Research Methodology: Nurses' Euthanasia Knowledge and Attitude

This report provides a detailed examination of research methodology, specifically focusing on Saunders' Research Onion as a framework. It explores the various layers of the onion, including research philosophy (pragmatism), research approach (inductive), research strategy (action research), choices (mono method), time horizon (longitudinal), and techniques and procedures (secondary data analysis). The report discusses how these methodological choices are applied in a research context, specifically, a study analyzing the knowledge and attitudes of nurses on Euthanasia in the UK. The report emphasizes the importance of each layer in guiding the research process, ensuring a systematic and effective approach to data collection and analysis. The study utilizes secondary data analysis to explore the subject matter, with a focus on qualitative data, and the report highlights the rationale behind the selected methods and techniques.

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Saunders’ Research Onion
Saunders research onion directly helps in understanding research methodology and
research skills in an appropriate and effective manner (Sahay, 2016). Saunders research onion is
made up of six layers that helps in development of research philosophy in an appropriate manner.
Research philosophy
First layer is of research philosophy. It is a foundation of any study that helps in
describing set of belief upon which a research is built upon. In order to describe a research
philosophy ontological or epistemological point of view can be used to understand and describe
research philosophy. Ontology helps in describing what and how of what researcher known
about a research. In other words, it can be said that ontology helps in explaining nature of reality,
and what can be known as understood. Whereas, Epistemology explain ways in which
knowledge can be obtained for understanding thing. It helps in finding what reality is and what
are the main limits of the knowledge (Sinha, Clarke and Farquharson, 2018). There are three
main types of research philosophies that operates on different ontological and epistemological
assumptions. However, research philosophies are not only three but these three are most
commonly used, these are explained below:
Positivism: As per this philosophy, knowledge exist far outside what is being studied because as
per this philosophy, things that are being studied can be done so objectively and cannot include
personal point of view of people or their opinion. As per this positivism philosophy true
knowledge can be acquired only through empirical studies which is completely based upon
observations and measurements.
Interpretivism: It focuses upon influence that cultural and social factors can have upon an
individual (de Oliveira Orth,and Maçada, 2020). This philosophy focuses upon thinking, ideas
and thoughts of people in light of socio-cultural backdrop. Researcher having interpretivism
research philosophy participate activity within a research.
Pragmatism: Whereas pragmatism is a research philosophy that majorly focuses upon
highlighting importance of using best possible tools that can be used for investigating
phenomenon. This philosophy is used when a research is required to be approached from a
practical point of view.
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Choice of research philosophy reflects ontological and epistemological assumptions of
the researcher. In this research, researcher will take active participation within research and will
focus upon Anthology exploration of literature for analysing knowledge and attitude of Nurses
on Euthanasia in UK. So, in order to achieve this main objective of research, pragmatism
research philosophy will be used. This philosophy has been used because it helps us in
understanding that best possible method of achieving main research is though secondary data
analysis.
Research approach
Second layer of research philosophy is research approach which is a broader method that
helps the researcher in identifying approach used to inform decisions that can be used for data
collection and analysis within a study. There are two most important types of research
approaches that are majorly used within a research that are inductive and deductive research
approach. Adoption of an appropriate research approach depends upon type of research which is
being carried out i.e., qualitative or quantitative research. Two most commonly used research
approach are: inductive and deductive approach that have been explained below:
Inductive: This approach focuses upon generation of theories from a research, rather than
focusing upon starting a project with a foundation theory (Saunders, 2017). Inductive approaches
are mostly within qualitative research i.e. research that focuses on textual, visual or audio-based
data
Deductive: Whereas, this approach is used by researcher when there is a requirement of starting a
research with beginning of a research, aim to built on it or tested thought the research. Deductive
approach is used mostly within quantitative research studies that majorly focuses upon numerical
data.
It is important for researchers to observe and understand which type of approach is
suitable and right for the study. For this it is important to understand type of research, researcher
will be conducting in order to achieve the aim. Main aim of this research is to analyse knowledge
and attitude of Nurses on Euthanasia in UK. In this research, collection of literature pieces will
be collected i.e., it is a qualitative type of research and for this study inductive type of approach
is most suitable. In this research theories are generated for existing theories.
Research strategy
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This layer evolves focus towards varied range of research types, where it further enables to
use best productive aspect within research type for varied scale informational functional
parameters.
 Experimental research: This research involves manipulating one variable to observe
another variable, for assessing relationship between variable where experimental research
aims to test existing theories rather than create new ones.
 Action research: This kind of research is generally applied in social sciences specifically
in professions where individuals aim to further leverage focus on improving work aspects
informatively. Action research is sued often at hospitals, which makes use of language
and interactions based data for gaining functional detailed knowledge towards research
functions (Fletcher, 2017). Case study research: When conducting case study research social context and culture has
to be taken into account, which is further analysed to be qualitative in nature and also
inductive where researchers assumptions can be used for analysis. Grounded theory: It is all about letting data speak for itself, where it presents data in
very useful format and issues are competently analysed in new format, for gaining under
researched parameters effectively. It is typically qualitative in nature which is also further
easy to understand, gain specific knowledge towards attaining paradigms worked on for
longer scale domains. Ethnography: This involves observing people in natural environments and drawing
meaningful cultural interactions, where it further evaluates meaning of behaviour,
language and interactions among members of the culture sharing group.
 Archival research: This strategy draws data from materials that are already in existence
and meaning is established well suited in amalgamation for research.
For gaining accurate data and knowledge functionally evolving within knowledge and
attitude of Nurses on Euthanasia in UK action research strategy will be
used, for gaining competent knowledge and varied scale working efficacy
benchmarks fundamentally.
Choices
Next layer of research onion is choices. it simply focuses upon different types of data
types that will be collected within the research (both quantitative and qualitative). There are three
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types of choices mono, mixed and multi-choices. Data is one of the most important part of a
research as it helps collecting required data for the researcher. Three types of choice methods
are: mono, mixed, and multi-method.
Mono method is chosen in which only one type of data is chosen i.e., either qualitative type of
data or qualitative type of data (Omotayo and Kulatunga, 2017). Mostly this method is used
when there is a need to collect opinion, thoughts, or viewpoints of others. For this type of data
any one of analysis method can be used like thematic or content analysis method.
Mixed method is used when there is a need to use both type of data i.e., qualitative and
quantitative type of data. This method is mostly used in research in which theoretical and
numerical data both are required to be included. In this type of method, a survey is done for
quantitative data and results are analysed statistically. These results are proved beneficial to
qualitative ones.
Multi-method is widely used to make use of wide range of approaches i.e., with more than just
one qualitative and quantitative type of data. For such type of choice two or more than two types
of analysis method can be used for analysis of collection of two or more than two types of data.
Mostly thematic analysis, content analysis or statistical analysis method can be used for analysis
of any type of data collected within research paper by researcher.
In this research, researcher will be collecting qualitative type of data by collecting and
analysing different kinds of literature pieces. So for this mono method will be used by researcher
in order to know knowledge and attitude of Nurses on Euthanasia in UK.
.
Time Horizon
This layer enables us to analyse time horizons factor which simply describes the various
points in time researcher plans to collect data specifically connecting to gain wider scale
knowledge and data related to topic. Time horizon plays essential role for bringing on detailed
efficacy among results, as working within latest parameters of time period which has to be
correlated with latest paradigms to be advanced (Kumar, 2019).
Within this there are two options which can be analysed as follows:
 Longitudinal time horizon: Within this aspect, data is collected over few weeks, months
and years of time for gaining varied scale knowledge and how diversely it is being further
evolved for bringing specific knowledge. This aspect of data collection as an option for
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researcher is widely beneficial when studying changes within period of time and also
there is further progression over time. This option enables to get data which is going on
within longer stage time period varying form months and weeks, where varied aspects
evolving within subject is further evolved.
 Cross sectional time horizon: This aspect further enables us to gain data collected at
certain point of tome, where gathering data to see how language changes, and further
evolving aspects within expanded time period are neglected. Data is collected at snapshot
point in time, further where focus is on time of collection not on data type which brings
on knowledge as related with recent time period.
Knowledge and attitude of Nurses on Euthanasia in UK will be researched
on by usage of longitudinal time horizon, where data related to usage of
euthanasia has to be further evolved towards varied time periods in hospitals
among nurses. By pertaining towards latest varying data specification
related with data gathered form months and weeks, further will also keep up
best parameters in shape for technical growth. Time horizon factor plays
strong role for gaining accurate detailed knowledge towards recent time
periods heading on varied scale medical usage among nurses, and how it has
been evolving towards better results.
Techniques and procedures
This is last layer within research methodology where it enables to decide what data is to
be collected and methods such as surveys or interviews to be used. This further also enables
accuracy to be further focused on by gaining sampling from population, where there are
convenience sampling which brings on detailed analysis towards gaining accurate knowledge
towards projects (Daniel, 2018).t further determines data analysis techniques where content
analysis or statistical analysis such as correlation can be done further, which is further decided to
bring on competent efficacy as analysed by project researcher. At this layer, setting up of
materials for further usage in research will be analysed, where the techniques and procedures are
further aligned with layers of research onion for ensuring competent functional aspect
effectively. For researching knowledge and attitude of Nurses on Euthanasia in UK, techniques
and procedures which needs to be implemented for research will be based on theoretical aspects
for easy and detailed understanding. Survey research method will make sure new informative
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parameters are further synchronised towards attaining best competent knowledge and wider scale
knowledge.
Data analysis will be also further specifically focused on, as one of the key element
further effectively evolving towards bringing untapped targets. Techniques and procedures
analysis determines best usage of latest competencies to acknowledge varied scale functional
goals, identifying technical standards and also gaining wider focus towards untapped scenarios.
Secondary data analysis will be used, for gaining wide range of functional focus on best
synergies within data, related to knowledge and attitude of nurses on Euthanasia in UK.
The above analysed layers within Saunders Research Onion philosophy has further
enabled to get detailed knowledge and data related to working parameters for gaining accurate
data, further bringing on subject knowledge related with knowledge and attitude of nurses on
Euthanasia in UK. The research onion philosophy has been fruitfully very innovative analytical
aspect to get detailed knowledge and working evolving synergies towards gaining best evolving
parameters. It has been also specifically crucial for gaining detailed knowledge and data
functionally keeping up best quality benchmarks of research, further signifying competent
efficacy parameters towards operational domains. The research philosophy has been widely
crucial for signifying best parameters of data management and innovation, correlated to best
research methodologies for gaining accurate growth (Ciocoiu, 2018).
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ciocoiu, M. ed., 2018). Materials Behavior: Research Methodology and Mathematical Models.
CRC Press.
Daniel, B.K., 2018. Contestable professional academic identity of those who teach research
methodology. International Journal of Research & Method in Education. 41(5).
pp.548-561.
de oliveira orth, c. and maçada, a.c.g., 2020. corporate fraud and relationships: a systematic
literature review in the light of research onion. journal of financial crime.
Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International journal of social research methodology. 20(2). pp.181-194.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
omotayo, t. and kulatunga, u., 2017. the research methodology for the development of a kaizen
costing framework suitable for indigenous construction firms in lagos, nigeria.
sahay, a., 2016. peeling saunder's research onion. research gate, art, pp.1-5.
saunders, m.l., 2017. research onion-explanation of the concept. essays, uk.
sinha, t., clarke, s. and farquharson, l., 2018, july. shrek, saunders and the onion myth: using
myths, metaphors and storytelling. in proceedings of the 17th european
conference on research methodology for business and management studies (p.
366).
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