Value-relevance research provides evidence as to whether the accounting numbers relate
to value in the predicted manner. ln the pension context, the predictions are based on
contextual theory that pension assets are assets of the firm and pension obligations are
obligations of the firm. A plausible prediction is that pension assets (obligations) are priced
as assets (obligations). A study’s findings represent only one of many possible outcomes.
However, the subsequent discussions and the subsequent research conducted are informed
by and conditioned on the observed evidence.