Assessment 4: Research Proposal on Auditors and Corporate Governance

This research proposal examines the crucial role of internal auditors in corporate governance. It begins by highlighting the significance of corporate governance in light of accounting scandals and emphasizes the need for efficient internal audit functions. The research aims to develop a conceptual understanding of the internal auditor's role, examine their contribution to corporate governance, and recommend strategies to enhance their engagement and transparency. The study employs a mixed-methods research design, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, including a survey with 341 respondents and interviews with 5 individuals, to gather comprehensive data. The proposal outlines the research questions, objectives, and the chosen pragmatic, deductive, and sequential explanatory research design, along with the sampling techniques and relevant references. The proposal aims to provide insights into how internal auditors contribute to the transparency of internal control systems and governance.

AUDITORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
AND CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARD
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
By

RESEARCH BACKGROUND
Past studies highlight some of the major corporate accounting
scandals in the 21st century which has enhanced the need for
highly efficient corporate governance
Despite the increase in attention on internal audit function in the
current studies, past studies have revealed from empirical analysis
that there is lack of similar priority on internal audit from various
firms.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND
OBJECTIVES
Objectives
To develop a conceptual
understanding of the role of internal
auditors in corporate governance
To examine the role of internal
auditors in contributing towards
corporate governance
To recommend strategies to engage
internal auditors efficiently and
contribute to the transparency of
internal control systems and
governance.
Questions
What is the role of internal
auditors in contributing towards
corporate governance?
What are the different aspects
of internal auditing and
corporate governance?

RESEARCH DESIGN
Mixed Method Research Design
Pragmatism
Deductive approach
Sequential Explanatory research Design
Qualitative and Quantitative research methods

SAMPLE SIZE AND
TECHNIQUE
341 respondents for the
survey
Stratified random
sampling
5 interviewees for the
interview
Purposive sampling

REFERENCES
Abernathy, J.L., Beyer, B., Masli, A. and Stefaniak, C.M., 2015. How the source of audit committee
accounting expertise influences financial reporting timeliness. Current Issues in Auditing, 9(1),
pp.P1-P9.
Al-Akra, M., Abdel-Qader, W. and Billah, M., 2016. Internal auditing in the Middle East and North
Africa: A literature review. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, 26, pp.13-27.
Alzeban, A. and Gwilliam, D., 2014. Factors affecting the internal audit effectiveness: A survey of
the Saudi public sector. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation, 23(2), pp.74-
86.
McCusker, K. and Gunaydin, S., 2015. Research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods
and choice based on the research. Perfusion, 30(7), pp.537-542.
Padilla-Díaz, M., 2015. Phenomenology in educational qualitative research: Philosophy as science
or philosophical science. International Journal of Educational Excellence, 1(2), pp.101-110.
Palinkas, L.A., Horwitz, S.M., Green, C.A., Wisdom, J.P., Duan, N. and Hoagwood, K., 2015.
Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation
research. Administration and policy in mental health and mental health services research, 42(5),
pp.533-544.