5 Results
The data analysis stage is divided into four parts. The first part involves factor analysis of the measurement of connotative meaning data obtained from the semantic differential scale responses. The aim of this analysis is to establish and label the underlying factor structure (cognitive structure) for each financial reporting group. This helps establish whether intra and intergroup comparisons can be made. In so doing, the analysis enables testing of H01 and helps determine the feasibility of testing H02. The second part of the analysis focuses on changes in factor placements along the dimensions making up each reporting group's factor structure in order to ascertain whether changes in measured meaning may be attributed to the change in definition of cash (i.e. testing of H03). The third part focuses on the analysis of the decision outcomes (the indication of whether or not the asset presented in each case represented an item of cash and the degree to which the participant believes the assets listed in the instrument represent items of cash) and whether these have been impacted by the change in regulated definition (i.e. testing of H04). The final part deals with the connection between the measured meanings and decision outcome(s) (i.e. testing of H05). It is this analysis that provides the most vital evidence of the relationship between the definition of an accounting concept and the decisions made by participants resulting from their meaning.