IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eme/qrampp/v5y2008i3p207-238.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Adding scientific rigour to qualitative data analysis: an illustrative example

Author

Listed:
  • Grant Samkin
  • Annika Schneider

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how qualitative data may be analysed using a method that can be considered as rigorous/scientific as any statistical analysis of quantitative data. Design/methodology/approach - An artificial neural network programme CATPAC II™ was used to evaluate selected portions of two accounting standards: the Financial Reporting Standards Board of New Zealand's standard on consolidation; and the equivalent standard developed by the International Accounting Standards Committee and revised by the International Accounting Standards Board. Findings - The analysis of the concepts of control in the two standards identifies the differences that exist between the two standards. These differences are illuminated through the use of a hierarchical cluster analysis of 40 unique concepts in each of the two standards and 2D representation of the concepts. The extent of the differences in the concepts was established through a rotational analysis of the two datasets. Research limitations/implications - This research is limited to the analysis of the concept of control and associated commentary paragraphs and supporting documents associated with two accounting standards. Different results may have been obtained had the whole standard been analysed. Practical implications - Artificial neural network software can be used to support the intuitive textual understanding of the differences that exist in qualitative data. In this paper, the differences identified in the concepts of control may result in different interpretations being taken by the accounting standard users when determining what reporting entities to include in consolidated financial statements. Some additional uses for artificial neural network software in accounting research are also identified. Originality/value - This paper is the first in the discipline to use artificial neural network software to analyse and compare different texts.

Suggested Citation

  • Grant Samkin & Annika Schneider, 2008. "Adding scientific rigour to qualitative data analysis: an illustrative example," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 5(3), pages 207-238, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:qrampp:v:5:y:2008:i:3:p:207-238
    DOI: 10.1108/11766090810910227
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/11766090810910227/full/html?utm_source=repec&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=repec
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers
    File URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/11766090810910227/full/pdf?utm_source=repec&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=repec
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1108/11766090810910227?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Patricia M. West & Patrick L. Brockett & Linda L. Golden, 1997. "A Comparative Analysis of Neural Networks and Statistical Methods for Predicting Consumer Choice," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 16(4), pages 370-391.
    2. D. Kincaid & June Yum & Joseph Woelfel & George Barnett, 1983. "The cultural convergence of Korean immigrants in Hawaii: An empirical test of a mathematical theory," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 59-78, December.
    3. Helen Irvine & Michael Gaffikin, 2006. "Getting in, getting on and getting out: reflections on a qualitative research project," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 19(1), pages 115-145, January.
    4. Isabelle Huault & V. Perret & S. Charreire-Petit, 2007. "Management," Post-Print halshs-00337676, HAL.
    5. Rob Dixon & John Ritchie & Juliana Siwale, 2006. "Microfinance: accountability from the grassroots," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 19(3), pages 405-427, April.
    6. Parker, Lee D., 2008. "Interpreting interpretive accounting research," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(6), pages 909-914.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Tracy‐Anne De Silva, 2011. "Mixed methods: a reflection of its adoption in environmental reporting," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 8(1), pages 91-104, April.
    2. Kwok, Andrei O.J. & Chew, Elaine Yin Teng, 2017. "The valley of dry bones: A city’s revival for tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 199-203.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ken Crofts & Jayne Bisman, 2010. "Interrogating accountability," Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 7(2), pages 180-207, June.
    2. Vassili Joannides, 2011. "Influences de la pré-connaissance sur le design de la recherche:le cas des liens entre comptabilité et gestion," Revue Finance Contrôle Stratégie, revues.org, vol. 14(4), pages 91-127, December.
    3. Godwin Awio & Deryl Northcott & Stewart Lawrence, 2011. "Social capital and accountability in grass‐roots NGOs," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(1), pages 63-92, January.
    4. Parker, Lee D., 2012. "Qualitative management accounting research: Assessing deliverables and relevance," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 54-70.
    5. James Breen & Darragh Clancy & Mary Ryan & M. Wallace, 2010. "Can’t See the Wood for the Trees: The Returns to Farm Forestry in Ireland," Working Papers 1003, Rural Economy and Development Programme,Teagasc.
    6. Alan Gregory, 2011. "The Expected Cost of Equity and the Expected Risk Premium in the UK," Review of Behavioral Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 3(1), pages 1-26, April.
    7. Ana-Maria BERCU, 2014. "Performance Appraisal Of Civil Servants. Sustainability And Development," Proceedings of Administration and Public Management International Conference, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 10(1), pages 35-43, June.
    8. repec:fip:fedhep:y:2013:i:qii:p:30-46:n:vol.37no.2 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Gedikoglu, Haluk & McCann, Laura M.J. & Artz, Georgeanne M., 2011. "Off-Farm Employment Effects on Adoption of Nutrient Management Practices," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 40(2), pages 1-14, August.
    10. Scherrer-Rathje, Maike & Boyle, Todd A. & Deflorin, Patricia, 2009. "Lean, take two! Reflections from the second attempt at lean implementation," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 79-88.
    11. Shachmurove, Yochanan & Vulanovic, Milos, 2013. "SPACs in Shipping," EconStor Preprints 88633, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    12. Benmelech, Efraim & Dlugosz, Jennifer, 2009. "The alchemy of CDO credit ratings," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(5), pages 617-634, July.
    13. Farrell, Terence C., 2008. "An Economic Evaluation of Conservation Farming Practices for the Central West of NSW," 2008 Conference (52nd), February 5-8, 2008, Canberra, Australia 6177, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    14. Felipe Jiménez & Wilmar Cabrera-Montiel, 2014. "System for Road Vehicle Energy Optimization Using Real Time Road and Traffic Information," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-23, June.
    15. Agata Mesjasz-Lech, 2009. "Selected Problems Of Reverse Logistics In Poland," Advanced Logistic systems, University of Miskolc, Department of Material Handling and Logistics, vol. 3(1), pages 181-190, December.
    16. J�r�me Massiani, Giovanni Santoro, 2012. "The relevance of the concept of capacity for the management of a tourist destination: theory and application to tourism management in Venice," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 66(2), pages 141-156.
    17. Anuta Porutiu, 2010. "Decision and decision makers," Studies and Scientific Researches. Economics Edition, "Vasile Alecsandri" University of Bacau, Faculty of Economic Sciences, issue 15.
    18. Vassili Joannides & N. Berland, 2008. "Grounded theory: quels usages dans les recherches en contrôle de gestion?," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-00676580, HAL.
    19. Lino Cinquini & Andrea Tenucci, 2011. "Management Accounting for Service: A Research Agenda," Working Papers 201102, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa, Istituto di Management.
    20. Cristina Cella & Andrew Ellul & Mariassunta Giannetti, 2013. "Investors' Horizons and the Amplification of Market Shocks," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 26(7), pages 1607-1648.
    21. Schürg, Carolin V. & Bannier, Christina Evelies, 2015. "Corporate investment, debt and liquidity choices in the light of financial constraints and hedging needs," VfS Annual Conference 2015 (Muenster): Economic Development - Theory and Policy 114561, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eme:qrampp:v:5:y:2008:i:3:p:207-238. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Emerald Support (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.