FinFlow Research Methodology - Meeting 2

Problem ID &
Formulation
Research Methodology (Accounting) — Meeting 2

Lecturer: [Lecturer Name]

Program: BSc Accounting
 FinFlow Research Methodology - Meeting 2

Table of Contents

01 02 03 04
Session Goals What Is a Research Problem? Sources of Research FINER Criteria
Problems

05 06
From Background to Research Integrated Example &
Questions Consistency

07
Assignment & Next Steps

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Learning Objectives
After this session, students will be able to:

Identify sources of accounting research problems Draft consistent: problem statement, objectives, and
research questions
Evaluate problems using FINER criteria
Distinguish three types of research problems: descriptive,
associative, explanatory
Write an argumentative problem background

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What Is a Research Problem?

Not merely “something is wrong” — It is a GAP between:

Ideal State (should be) Current State (reality)

Types of Gaps

Theoretical gap

Methodological gap
Existing knowledge Needed knowledge
Contextual gap

Knowledge gap

Theory predictions Empirical facts

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Sources of Research Problems (1) — Practical World

Direct Observation “Difficulty implementing PSAK 73 on Leases”

Internship/work experience “High errors in SME tax reporting”

Real cases
“Inefficiency of manual audit processes”

Practical accounting problems

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Sources of Research Problems (2) — Academic

Literature
Read Journals Critically
“Study A (2019) finds positive X–Y, Study B (2020)
negative. Why?”
“Future Research” section
Direct hints for new studies

Contradictory findings
Opportunity to explain why “Researchers suggest testing in the Indonesian
context”
Study limitations
Specific areas for improvement

Untested theory
Opportunity to test empirically

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Sources of Research Problems (3) — Change & Discussion

Regulatory Shocks Forums Examples

Changes in PSAK/SAK Seminars, conferences

“Impact of e-faktur 3.0 on tax compliance”

New tax regulations Discussions with experts

“Implications of PSAK 71 on earnings

volatility”
Latest OJK/IDX rules Professional online forums

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FINER Criteria
FEASIBLE
doable (data, time, skills)

INTERESTING
engaging (researcher & community)

NOVEL
new/original (knowledge contribution)

ETHICAL
ethical (permission, confidentiality, honesty)

RELEVANT
relevant (theoretical & practical)

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Testing FEASIBLE

Evaluation Questions
Not Feasible Examples
Is data available/affordable?

“Analyzing company trade secrets”

Do I have methodological competence?

Are time and cost sufficient?

“Surveying Fortune 500 CEOs in Indonesia”

Is access to respondents/data possible?

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Testing RELEVANT

Theoretical Relevance Practical Relevance

Fill a knowledge gap Implications for accountants/auditors

Test/extend theory Benefits for regulators/policy makers

Resolve contradictions in prior results Solutions for practical problems

Relevant Example

“Effect of audit committee gender diversity on audit quality”

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Structuring the Background (General → Specific)

Paragraph 1: General phenomenon

“In the era of globalization, financial statement transparency…”

Paragraph 2: Narrow to a specific area

“One threat to transparency is earnings management…”

Paragraph 3: Literature review + identify the GAP

“Prior studies (A, 2020; B, 2021) have examined… but have not studied…”

Paragraph 4: Why the study matters

“Therefore, this study is important to…”

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Formulating the Research Problem Statement

Standard Quantitative Format

“How does [Independent Variable] affect [Dependent Variable] in [Research Context]?”

Examples

Pro Tip
“How does board size affect financial performance of banking firms listed on IDX?”
Use operational verbs to ensure clarity and
measurability:

“How does operational complexity affect audit fees in Indonesian manufacturing firms?”

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Objectives & Research Questions

(Must Be Consistent)

Problem Statement
The foundation of the research inquiry.

Research Objectives
Affirmative statement from the problem statement

“To analyze the effect of board size on financial performance…”

Research Questions
Operational breakdown:
What is the level of [Variable 1] in [context]?
What is the level of [Variable 2] in [context]?
Is there a significant effect of [IV] on [DV]?

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Integrated Example (From Idea to Problem)

Initial Idea Sustainability reporting is increasingly popular

Gap Identification Many studies on determinants of sustainability reporting, but few on economic consequences, especially cost
of capital

“Effect of Sustainability Reporting Disclosure on Cost of Equity Capital with Corporate Governance as a
Title
Moderator”

Problem Statement “How does sustainability reporting disclosure affect cost of equity capital, and does corporate
governance moderate the relationship?”

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Consistency Is Key

Consistency Checklist Consequences if Inconsistent

Variables in background = variables in problem Research is unfocused

statement
Methodology is inappropriate
Research context consistent across all components
Results do not answer objectives

Relationship among variables consistent in all sections Paper rejected by reviewers

Objectives answer the problem statement

Research questions operationalize objectives

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Assignment & Next Steps

Individual Assignment Preparation for Meeting

3

Choose 1 quantitative accounting Read “Literature Review” material

research topic
Bring 3 journal articles related to your
Identify at least 2 problem sources
(practical/literature)
chosen topic
“A good problem is
Prepare a draft research problem for
Evaluate with FINER (with explanation) consultation half the solution”
Draft: background (1 paragraph) +
problem statement + 2 research
questions

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Thank You
Q&A

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