A new research project by the
“In creating a model that can be used to interpret past and future research, we want to allow for greater insight into how to improve audit quality by influencing auditors’ attitudes of professional skepticism and independence,” said Griffith, in a statement. “We are grateful to the Center for Audit Quality in seeing the value of this work and its potential to generate effective recommendations for policy and practice going forward.”
The research will include three phases:
- Developing a model for understanding factors that influence auditors by applying Petty’s Elaboration Likelihood Model (cognitive psychology) to the audit context.
- Using the model to interpret the findings and implications of studies that examine selected characteristics of auditors, client, evidence, and environment.
- Identifying potential policy implications based on the collective findings of the studies examined.
The CAQ selected Griffith and her colleagues out of 34 research proposals. Last year, Griffith and Wisconsin School of Business Ph.D. student Patrick Hurley received the Access to Audit Personnel Program Award from CAQ, one of only four research teams in the country to receive the honor.
“CAQ has recognized the collaborative research approach at the Wisconsin School of Business and our commitment to making a positive contribution to audit practice,” stated Terry Warfield, chair of the Accounting and Information Systems department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “This is the Wisconsin Idea in action—a strong research mission coupled with a focus on serving the community and world beyond our campus.”
For more information on the Wisconsin School of Business, head to their