Accounting Standards and Standards Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Accounting Theory and Concepts. Answer: Introduction The present report study presents a critical evaluation of the article titled Half a Defence of Positive Accounting Research penned by the author named Paul V Dunmore. The current article necessarily inspects the overall positive approach towards research in accounting. Particularly, the current segment succinctly presents the summary of the article, framed research questions, theoretical framework of the research paper, importance and limitations of the study and as a final point the deductions of the current study. The current section expounds illustratively the notion of positive accounting on a research platform that necessarily intends to develop different causal explanations of human behaviour in an accounting context. In addition, the present study also scrutinizes the ontology and the epistemology of the research work. Particularly, the foundation of statistical hypothesis testing is said to be weak and this is superficially comparable to the fabrication criterion of Popper. However, the fundamental challenges comprise of casual construction of diverse theoretical models that have the need to be scrutinized, unnecessary reliance on validation of hypothesis examination, indifference as regards different numerical figures of diverse parameters, inadequate duplication to ensure confidence in acknowledged observations as well as the employment of principles and theories to scrutinise different qualitative data rather than illustrations. Summary of the article The current article titled Half a Defence of Positive Accounting Research analytically scrutinises the ontology as well as the epistemology of necessarily positive research. This article also considers the manner in which the current accounting research practice does not fulfil the necessities for undertaking diverse research program effectually. However, the analysis of the current research sheds light on positive approach of research that essentially aims to develop different causal explanations of human behaviour in accounting context (Freeman et al. 2014). In addition to this, the present study also carries out detailed exploration of different causes or else reasons behind a particular human behaviour in specifically a large business firm where person to person interactions are essentially replaced by impersonal processes of acquirement of significant information necessary for process of business decision making. Besides this, the article also presents a critical assessment of i ntellectual research projects that has ontological in addition to epistemological assumptions and identifies insufficiencies related to a particular positive accounting research (Bryer 2014). This necessarily helps in prevention from making positive contributions to extensive projects. Again, the current article under consideration presents definite scientific research project in which intellectual enquiries are initiated for the process of establishment of hypothesis of research. Moving further, the current research article explicates illustratively definite instances of positive research. Subsequently, the research piece also elucidates significant concepts of scientific ontology along with epistemology and presents the fabrication of hypothesis testing and explanations of the manner the particular theories are made-up (Henderson et al. 2015). Then, the qualitative aspects of the positive research represents the purpose that necessarily encompasses development of preliminary under standing of specific phenomenon before undertaking process of quantitative enumerations. However, the other purpose and intention of the qualitative positive research is essentially to appraise the theories. As a result, the rationale along with the weaknesses of the framed statistical hypothesis is hereby assessed and the impact on the positive research is also evaluated in depth. Furthermore, the research price also expounds all the requirements of an efficacious positive research program that fundamentally comprises of vulnerable models verified stringently, systematic analytical modelling, focus on measurement rather than testing and replication (Biondi and Zambon 2013). Analysis of findings as well as observations of the research piece, helps in arriving at the conclusive outcomes and in turn provides suggestions for carrying out the quantitative positive research. Thereafter, the paper explains the reason behind why it is necessarily like this. The suggestions based on the findings of the study reflects that there is need for superior theoretical models that are very much specialised and at the same time vulnerable and are taken seriously as subjects for thorough examination. However, this indicates the disappointing advancement made in positive accounting research can be considered to be a direct result of utilizing ad hoc quantitative models that can be reduced to mere declarations of the anticipated sign of association between two different variables (Miller and Power 2013). It can be further added that the elaborate models stemming from the analytical research are not properly structured. Detailed evaluation of the findings of the research also suggests the fact that there is need for better enumeration so as to ensure that the theoretical models can be appropriately examined. As such, the notions need to be functionalized by finding appropriate proxies for different interesting concepts. After establishment of a viable way for measurement of a concept, that particular system of measurement need to be utilized as a standard in all the subsequent studies instead of reinventing diverse measurements for the study (Modell 2013). In addition to this, evaluation of the findings also suggests the fact that a shift of focus from the process of testing the hypothesis to proper estimation of research parameters is necessary. In this case, comparison can be carried out between confidence intervals for parameters with specifically diverse theoretical predictions of the parameters as well as with different comparable measurement from various studies (Rogers and Van Buskirk 2013). Again, there is need for maintenance of documentation of measurement of significant notions that can help in testing specific theories. To finish, there is need for all-encompassing applications for substantiation of the conclusions from the testing of hypothesis. Research Questions The questions framed in the present article intends to To critically assess whether the positive research program can be considered to be wider concept than the theories on positive accounting To critically examine the extent to which definite positive research program in accounting can assist in attaining diverse scientific intentions To scrutinize the manner in which illustration of Kuhn of normal science can release the positive accounting in the process of achievement of potential To evaluate the manner different aspects of particularly ontology along with epistemology suppositions can affect specific research program Consequently, the research question hereby framed for the study are as follows: How do the positive research in the process of accounting can help in achievement of diverse scientific intentions? How do the hypothesising, testing and observing within a definite research paradigm as proposed by Kuhn can assist in liberating particularly positive accounting? How do different aspects of ontology as well as epistemology can exert impact on specific research program? Theoretical Framework The current section explains in detail theoretical framework of the research piece on particularly the theories of positive accounting. As such, this necessarily expounds illustratively the framework and the structure that can support the entire theoretical notions of the current research piece. In itself, theoretical framework elucidates the basis of the problem of the research of the current study and substantiates diverse theories along with ideas that are pertinent for the current research topic that is hereby taken into account. In addition to this, the theoretical structure also points out towards the explanations as regards the scientific ontology along with the epistemology factors that is necessarily involved in the factors of positive accounting. Essentially, the notions of accounting deals with diverse notions of earning, sales revenue, gains, expenses, incurred loss as well as depreciation and many others (Beatty and Liao 2014). Nevertheless, the accounting theory when vi ewed from the perspective of ontology replicates the fact that there are several underlying suppositions as regards the existence of reality that necessarily can necessarily be related to the concepts of realism theory explained in philosophy. However, diverse inferences founded on particular ontological assumptions can be regarded to be inadequate in case if consequences along with roles of accounting in business concerns and society are taken into consideration illustratively (Bonin 2013). Nevertheless, it can be essentially hereby deciphered that positive ontology along with epistemology might perhaps not be accurate and at the same time are not incongruous and irrational. Thus, the positive research undertaken for different branches of social science require assumption of certain approaches that can turn different observations into well-grounded causal notions. Significance and Limitations of the Article The present piece of research assists in acquiring deep insight regarding the positive accounting from the wider perspective of a research function that necessarily aims to enhance particular causal relations of human conduct in specifically an accounting setting. Besides this, the present study also digs deep into the intellectual research project under scientific research that can assist in comprehending the cause as well as effect associations (Needles et al. 2013). Moving further, the research piece also helps in understanding the particular scientific research that are undertaken in different fields of social science such as economics and many others as well as accounting, this again can be labelled as the positive research. Again, the research piece demonstrates by utilizing diverse instances that proves the fact that the positive research function is broader than the positive theory of accounting. Moreover, this helps in acquirement of knowledge as regards diverse concepts as well as theories of accounting and the manner normal science of Kuhn can be considered to be apposite for the positive accounting research. Nevertheless, the main output comprises of statistically significant outcomes but necessarily contain facts that encompasses uninterpretable coefficients relating diverse dubious dimensions that are not regarded to be stable (Needles et al. 2013). Essentially, there are certain confines of the current study. The intentions behind testing of statistical hypothesis that is sketchily analogous to the falsification measure of Popper can be considered to be feeble (Miller and Power 2013). Again, the development of diverse causal models that are assessed can be regarded as a restriction of the practice of research of positive accounting and that is necessary for undertaking effectual; contribution towards the intellectual programs that is hereby presented in the current study. Moreover, the illustration provided by Kuhn can be regarded to be non-radic al. As such, the alignment between diverse concepts under the field of ontology can be considered in this case and diverse factors of the real theories in actual can be regarded to be illusive. In this connection, another restriction is that the rate of progress of scientific project can be reflected to be slow (Rogers and Van Buskirk 2013). Thus, in a bid to make positive contributions to the process of scientific research projects, the accounting research can also be regarded to be progressive and the current progress can be regarded to be deceptive in nature. Nevertheless, the notion does not illustrate the manner that provide positive contribution to the scientific projects and the manner to advance at a quick rate (Biondi and Zambon 2013). Conclusions The above mentioned study delves deep into different facets of epistemology of positive research that takes into account diverse aspects of accounting practice that does not necessarily fulfil the requirements of the requisite criteria for functioning as a successful research work. Analysis of the findings and observations helps in revelation of the fact that there are several splendid models arising from different investigative outcomes cannot be necessarily be examined since they are not tractable or are not adequately designed. Thus, according to the results of the study it can be hereby concluded that there is a requirement for better enumeration that can be examined thoroughly. Apart from this, the positive research function also have the need to assimilate estimations and move the entire focus from the process of testing of the framed research hypothesis since significance of statistic relies on specific sample that might differ and cannot be measured in repetition. Moreover, t he current section also draws a conclusion that states that there is requirement for archiving data for the enumeration of diverse important concepts as well as wide replication for validation of conclusion drawn from analysis of particular hypothesis, conformation of accurateness of calculations and examination of confines of execution of diverse research opinions in positive accounting. References Beatty, A. and Liao, S., 2014. Financial accounting in the banking industry: A review of the empirical literature. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 58(2), pp.339-383. Biondi, Y. and Zambon, S. eds., 2013. Accounting and business economics: Insights from national traditions. Routledge. Bonin, H., 2013. Generational accounting: theory and application. Springer Science Business Media. Bryer, A.R., 2014. Conscious practices and purposive action: A qualitative study of accounting and social change. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 25(2), pp.93-103. Freeman, R.J., Shoulders, C.D., Allison, G.S., Smith Jr, G.R. and Becker, C.J., 2014. Governmental and nonprofit accounting: Theory and practice. JPAEJOURNAL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS EDUCATION VOLUME 20 NUMBER 3, p.441. Henderson, S., Peirson, G., Herbohn, K. and Howieson, B., 2015. Issues in financial accounting. Pearson Higher Education AU. Miller, P. and Power, M., 2013. Accounting, organizing, and economizing: Connecting accounting research and organization theory. Academy of Management Annals, 7(1), pp.557-605. Modell, S., 2015. Theoretical triangulation and pluralism in accounting research: a critical realist critique. Accounting, Auditing Accountability Journal, 28(7), pp.1138-1150. Needles, B.E., Powers, M. and Crosson, S.V., 2013. Principles of accounting. Cengage Learning. Rogers, J.L. and Van Buskirk, A., 2013. Bundled forecasts in empirical accounting research. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 55(1), pp.43-65.