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Research Design
Methodology
A literature survey of communication theory provided
the basis for the development of a model to use in organiz­
ing the analysis of financial reporting. A literature
survey also provided an awareness of applications of
communication theory to financial reporting and of the
existing shortcomings of the applications.
Primary research vehicles were questionnaires,
interviews, and financial statements.
Questionnaires. The questionnaire was the basis for
the analysis of:''
1. Accountants' and users' opinions of the adequacy of
the performance of the function of external finan­
cial reporting.
2. The adequacy of two-way communication between
accountants and users of financial statements.
Initially, the three categories of respondents were
defined. To provide assurance that the respondents possess
the desired characteristics, random selection techniques
were rejected. Instead, individuals who are leaders of the
accounting profession (members of an accounting profession
committee possessing the authority requisite for leadership)
7. The questionnaires appear in Appendix A.
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