Use of the Action-Research Methodology in the Development of Accounting Education

Abstract

Both accounting and education have developed throughout this century under the influence of the scientific methodology which has served the natural sciences well in their recent developments. We argue that an over-reliance on the scientific methodology has not allowed accounting education to develop optimally and that other perspectives on educational research are available which can identify developments which might improve the academic environment. One methodology which we believe has encouraged worthwhile developments in our own educational environment is action-research. This methodology appears to have grown in popularity with academics generally, and in educational research particularly, over the past few years. Here we provide reflections concerning the use of it in the accounting education environment and hope that we can encourage others to make use of it.