Broadening the Reach: Communicating Accounting Research Beyond Experimentalists-Broadening the Reach: Communicating Accounting Research Beyond Experimentalists

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar panel discussed how experimental accounting researchers can broaden the reach and visibility of their work beyond other experimentalists. The panel identified three main challenges: limited awareness of experimental research outside a tight community, misunderstandings about experiments’ validity and realism, and weak communication of why a study matters to specific audiences.<br /><br />The panel emphasized three key audiences: accounting researchers using other methods, practitioners, and academics outside accounting. For practitioners, they highlighted the importance of presenting research in plain language, building relationships before asking for help, attending practitioner conferences, and using classroom or advisory-board settings to share research. For non-experimental academics, they recommended translating technical accounting topics into broader behavioral or economic concepts and connecting with colleagues across disciplines.<br /><br />They also stressed that other-method researchers should understand experimental work because it affects citation rates, hiring decisions, journal placement, and the training and marketability of PhD students. To bridge divides, the panel suggested responsible citation practices, attending workshops across methods, inviting colleagues to experimental seminars, and using mixed-methods designs when appropriate. Looking ahead, signs of success would include stronger PhD pipelines, more experimental hires, better representation in editorial and leadership roles, and broader recognition of experimental accounting research’s value.

Keywords

experimental accounting research

research visibility

practitioner communication

cross-method collaboration

research translation

accounting academics

mixed-methods design

PhD training

citation practices