of manager from the accounts’ department and administrative department of each
company and bank. This produces a total 184 managers as a population of this group.
According to Bartlett’s et al. (2001) the formula for determining sample size and the
simple random sampling technique process the minimum sample size for this group
should be about 70 companies (140 managers) (see Appendix 3).
According to the information obtained from the Tripoli branch of the LAAA, there
were approximately 140 professional accountants working as SRA in Tripoli region as
a total of population of this group. In all, 125 auditors were identified as a population of
the STA group. This group was working in the headquarters of the LIFA and its four
branches which are: Tripoli, Jfara, Zawiah and Ghariayn. Therefore, according to
Bartlett’s et al. (2001) the formula for determining sample size and the simple random
sampling technique process, the sample size for this group should be at least 100
auditors for SRA group and 90 auditors for STA group (see Appendix 3). While the
AC group includes all AC that are teaching accounting. Totally, 115 AC in all four
universities which are located in the Tripoli region were considered as a population of
this group. Table III shows the population, the distributed and returned questionnaires
and response rates.
With regards to the potential sample interviews, 14 interviewees of the FM and
statuary auditors (SRA) groups were randomly selected. The interview sample of the
STA group covered all managers who are in charge of corporate accounting auditing
departments of the LIFA which included: the headquarters department; Tripoli branch
department; Jfarah branch department and Al-Zawia branch department. However,
two managers expressed their reluctance to participate. As far as the group of AC is
concerned, all directors of the four accounting departments of the selected universities
were represented in the sample regarding this group of interviewees. Only one director
did not attend although previous arrangements were made and confirmed with him.
The sample of the group of regulars (RG) consisted of three regulators: one from
the LAAA, one from the LSM and one from the banking sector. However, only one
regulator was willing to participate.
Data analysis methods
To achieve the objectives of this study, three data analysis methods were adopted by
this study to analyze data. The descriptive statistics technique and the mean score
were used to analyzes data obtained from questionnaires and semi-structured
interviews. These techniques were used by many previous studies (i.e. Latridis and
Rouvolis, 2010; Al-Shammari et al., 2007; Srijunpetch, 2004; Glaum and Street, 2003).
The one-way ANOVA and t-test were also used to analyze data from the questionnaires
to find differences between the target groups. The ANOVA is used to analyze
conditions in differences between three or more groups rather than t-test technique
(Field, 2005). It was used, for example, by Aljifri and Khasharmeh (2006).