Understanding Professor Ross Watts by Applying Kuhnian Interpretation of Science Progress

Abstract

Professor Ross Watts identified an issue with corporate reporting. He wrote extensively alone and with others on the issue and proposed an accounting research methodology. The influence of economics from where he attended school is present in his views and writing. He played the role of a knight in shifting accounting research. While bridging the gap between accounting practice and research was one of the arguments was used to propagate Rochester School of Accountancy's positive accounting methodology, he (1983) testified that accounting research "has become more removed from the practitioner." We should learn from his passion and eagerness as we should learn that basing accounting research on a single foundation does not yield the outcomes that the accounting practice expects from research of accounting academics.