other dimensions
Although the Burrell and Morgan framework, as used by Hopper and Powell, provides a useful overview and an initial categorization of accounting research, it does not identity certain other dimensions which need to be considered when discussing methodologies of accounting research. Laughlin(1995) starts from the Burell and Morgan framework, but he avoids the subjective-objective dimension, and instead produces a three-dimensional framework labelled theory, methodology and change.
The change dimension is similar to Burrell and Morgan's approaches to society Although Laughlin sees this dimension as a continuum, he singles out three levels: high, medium and low. Researchers who believe in a high level of change are of the view that society needs to be changed, while those who believe in a low level of change are quite happy with the status quo. Those who are in the middle are open to the possibilities for change, but do not automatically reject all aspects of the status quo.
Laughlin's other two dimensions, theory and methodology, are both concerned with the level of theorization. Again he uses three levels: high, medium and low The theory dimension refers to the level of theorization prior to the research. High levels of prior theorizing are indicative of a world which the researcher assumes to be structured with high levels of generality and which has been well researched through previous studies. Low levels of prior theorization suggest a world where generalizations are difficult, or even impossible, and where it is inappropriate to derive insights from previous studies as they could potentially corrupt the present study
The methodological dimension is concerned with the level of theorization in the research process itself-that is, in the methodology- and relates to the theoretical definition of how the researcher should e' the subject of the research. At the high end of the continuum, the nature of the research process is highly theorized and, as such, the observer has no substantive role other than the application of a predefined set of techniques. At the low end however, the researcher is directly involved in the research and is encouraged to use his or her perceptual skills, uncluttered by a set of theoretical rules and procedures.
Laughlin combined these three dimensions into a which he then used to classify the various social theories that have informed accounting research as shown in Figure 2.2. Because of the difficulties of depicting a three-dimensional framework on a two-dimensional page, one of the dimensions has been embedded within the figure. The two dimensions of theory and methodology are shown on the horizontal and vertical axes, respectively, while t change dimension is indicated by the letters, H, M and L, in parentheses, shown along side each of the approaches identified within the framework. Mainstream accounting research is represented by the approaches shown in the top-left box, indicated to be low on the change dimension. Such research would be classified as High, High, Low: in terms of theory methodology and change, respectively
Laughlin contrasts the mainstream research with his favored approach of middle-range thinking, which he derives from the work of Habermas(German critical theory in Figure 2.2), and with the more interpretive approaches shown in the bottom-left box and classified as Low, Low Law. Table 2.6, which reproduces Laughlin's own table 1(1995: 80), contrasts the nature of these three different approaches. This illustrates the importance of levels of theorization in distinguishing different methodological approaches in accounting research. It also emphasizes that researchers must consider whether their use of theory is appropriate for their research methodology.