Maximizing the Contribution of JDM-Style Experiments in Accounting

Abstract

This paper considers the use of Judgment and Decision Making (JDM) experiments in accounting. It begins with a description of the purpose and goal of JDM experiments in accounting. The bulk of the paper discusses critical issues in designing and implementing JDM-style experiments. Our primary goal is to provide advice about designing and implementing JDM-style experiments in ways that will maximize a study’s likelihood of success and its contribution to the accounting literature. We identify five steps that will help JDM researchers identify meaningful research questions and address them in ways that allow generalization to the problem of interest and beyond. A key theme is that impactful research requires significant planning and pre-work.

Keywords: Judgment and Decision Making, Experiments, Methodology

JEL Classification: C91, M40, M41