Non-traditional research philosophies in Accounting and Finance Research

Referring to Ryan et al (2002), a starting point to introduce non-traditional research philosophies in Accounting and Finance Research is a description of the naturalist research methods. The main idea is to study the research objects in natural settings, e.g. study of accountants' bebaviour in their workplaces. In this case, researchers make use of holistic theories to interpret accountants' daily practices in their natural settings. Ryan et al (2002) remind us of the various stances in ontological assumptions in research methods, ranging from naive realism ("Reality as a concrete structure") to idealism ("Reality as a projection of human imagination") (re: Table 2.1 of Ryan et al (2002), p. 36). This indicates that ontological assumptions can range from objective to subjective in research orientation.

Subsequently, Ryan et al (2002) distinguishes 3 broad schools of accounting research, namely, critical accounting research, interpretive research and mainstream accounting research (re: Figure 2.1 of Ryan et al. (2002), pg. 40), see following diagram:

I refer you to Ryan et al. (2002) chapter 2 for details of ideas highlighted here.

References

1. Ryan, B., Scapens, R.W. and Theobold, M. (editors) (2002) Research Method and Methodology in Finance and Accounting, Thomson.
2. Related blog article: http://josephho33.blogspot.com/2012/01/research-philosophy-ideas-related-to.html