An Examination of Convergent Validity between In-Lab and Out-of-Lab Internet-Based Experimental Accounting Research

22 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2005

See all articles by Raquel Meyer Alexander

Raquel Meyer Alexander

Freeman College of Management

Allen D. Blay

Florida State University

Kathy Hurtt

Baylor University - Department of Accounting & Business Law

Abstract

Although behavioral research is increasingly relying upon the Internet for data collection, few Internet-based experimental accounting studies have been published. Bryant et al. (2004) discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Internet-based research and conclude that experimental validity poses the largest potential concern. One explanation for the scarcity of internet-based accounting studies may be that accounting researchers find experimental validity concerns outweigh the benefits of Internet data collection. Krantz and Dalal (2000) report that Internet psychology experiments produce results similar to laboratory findings. However, experimental economics researchers find that results differ between Internet- and Lab-based settings. In this paper, we examine convergent validity between in-lab and out-of-lab data collection with professional accountant participants. Using data from an Internet-based accounting experiment, we test convergent validity on those variables observed to interact with experimental delivery method (in-lab or out-of-lab) in prior research. Our results are consistent with that of the psychology literature. Specifically, no statistically significant interaction is reported between experimental delivery method and the independent variables or the demographic measures. We discuss factors contributing to this result and the implications for future behavioral accounting research.

Keywords: Internet-based experiments, convergent validity

JEL Classification: M4

Suggested Citation

Alexander, Raquel Meyer and Blay, Allen Dennis and Hurtt, R Kathy, An Examination of Convergent Validity between In-Lab and Out-of-Lab Internet-Based Experimental Accounting Research. Behavioral Research in Accounting, Vol. 18, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=840984

Raquel Meyer Alexander

Freeman College of Management ( email )

701 Moore Ave.
Lewisburg, PA 17837
United States

Allen Dennis Blay (Contact Author)

Florida State University ( email )

Rovetta Business Bldg. (RBA)
College of Business
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1110
United States
850-727-0953 (Phone)

R Kathy Hurtt

Baylor University - Department of Accounting & Business Law ( email )

Waco, TX 76798
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
223
Abstract Views
2,545
Rank
248,552
PlumX Metrics