Accounting Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Accounting Theory - Essay Example Researchers use various methods and techniques to collect data, which is then analysed to create knowledge (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2012). Knowledge in this research refers to accounting facts and skills that people acquire through experience or education (Easterby- Smith,Thorpe, Jackson & Lowe, 2008). The interest of researchers during study processes constitutes establishing whether beliefs are in agreement with the facts. This paper focuses on ascertaining that various phenomena in accounting are real and they have particular characteristics. We intend to help readers know that various accounting information presented to stakeholders by accountants is characterised by validity, relevance, and reliability. Knowledge acts as a tool through which researchers communicate accounting information to humans (Given, 2008); therefore, proper research is critical founded on effective research philosophy is critical in knowledge generation. We had two approaches from which we were to choose one approach for this study; these are positivism and phenomenology. The selected approach for this paper was phenomenology. Phenomenology is a style of thought or method of systematically reflecting on and studying the structures of consciousness and all phenomena appearing in acts of consciousness (Given, 2008). Phenomenology adopts an induction approach, which is critical in collecting qualitative data and some quantitative data for further supporting beliefs about the accounting profession. Using inductive reasoning, we moved from specific observations to broader generalisations and theories concerning business accounting. While using this approach, we made three assumptions; first, the world subjective and socially constructed. Therefore, it is through the existence of human beings that the world receives meaning. Through our research on petroleum companies, we gave meaning to the world concerning the performance of the selected companies during the period of