Best Journals for Anti-Corruption Research (2026)

What to Look for When Choosing a Journal

Before submitting your research, evaluate journals on these key criteria:

Anti-corruption scope — causes, consequences, measurement, and prevention of corruption
Institutional integrity focus — anti-corruption agencies, transparency laws, and ethical standards
Open access to reach anti-corruption practitioners, integrity commissioners, and development agencies
Fast review for anti-corruption research tied to active integrity reform processes
Acceptance of case studies, comparative research, and quantitative corruption measurement
Coverage of grand, petty, and political corruption in diverse governance contexts

Recommended Journals — Cluster 9: Public Policy, Governance & Administration

All journals below are published by Keith Publications — open access, peer-reviewed, and indexed for global discoverability.

Public Policy and Administration Studies Journal (PPASJ)
Public policy analysis, public administration, governance reform, government management, policy implementation, public sector innovation, and the study of governmental institutions and their effectiveness.

Review: 2–4 weeks Open Access DOI (CrossRef) Google Scholar

Public Policy Public Administration Governance Reform Policy Implementation

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Fast Publication: Keith Publications journals complete initial review within 2–5 business days and full peer review within 2–4 weeks. Articles are published online within 5–10 days of acceptance — making us one of the fastest open access publishers in public policy and governance research.

Core Research Areas in Anti-Corruption Research

Keith Publications anti-corruption journals accept research on: corruption measurement — perceptions-based indices, experience surveys, and objective corruption proxies; causes of corruption — institutional, cultural, economic, and political determinants; consequences of corruption — effects on economic growth, investment, public services, and political legitimacy; anti-corruption strategies — what works? Evidence on enforcement, prevention, and education approaches; anti-corruption institutions — anti-corruption agencies, inspector generals, ombudsman offices, and their effectiveness; public procurement corruption — risk factors, detection methods, and control mechanisms; political corruption — campaign finance corruption, electoral manipulation, and legislative corruption; whistleblowing — protections, incentives, and the role of whistleblowers in corruption detection; civil society and media — the role of journalism and citizen monitoring in combating corruption; and international anti-corruption frameworks — UNCAC, OECD anti-bribery convention, and enforcement.

Measurement and Methodology in Corruption Research

Corruption research faces a fundamental methodological challenge — corruption by its nature is hidden, making direct measurement difficult or impossible. Researchers have responded with creative approaches: exploiting variation in corruption perceptions across survey respondents; using bidding patterns in public procurement to detect collusion; analysing financial disclosures for unexplained wealth; studying the economic effects of anti-corruption enforcement actions; and conducting laboratory experiments on bribery behaviour. Keith Publications welcomes innovative methodological approaches to corruption measurement and causal identification in anti-corruption research, recognising that methodological rigour is especially important when studying a phenomenon that is deliberately concealed.

Tips to Maximise Your Acceptance Chances

Align your research with the journal's scope — confirm your policy domain and methodology fit the journal's published focus.
Establish clear analytical framework — policy and governance journals expect a clearly stated analytical or theoretical framework.
Demonstrate policy relevance — make the policy implications of your research explicit and actionable.
Rigorous methodology — clearly describe your data sources, case selection, analytical approach, and limitations.
Follow formatting guidelines exactly — non-compliant manuscripts often face desk rejection without review.
Draw clear conclusions — public policy research should end with clear, evidence-based conclusions for policy and practice.
Use current and relevant sources — include recent policy documents, official statistics, and academic literature from the last 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which journals are best for anti-corruption research?

The Public Policy and Administration Studies Journal (PPASJ) from Keith Publications is among the best for anti-corruption research, covering corruption causes, consequences, measurement, and prevention strategies, as well as the effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions.

Can I publish research on corruption in public procurement?

Yes. Research on procurement fraud risk factors, bid rigging detection, conflict of interest in public contracting, e-procurement transparency effects, and the effectiveness of procurement oversight institutions is within scope for PPASJ.

Is research on whistleblowing and corruption reporting accepted?

Yes. Research on whistleblowing legislation, whistleblower protection effectiveness, the decision to report corruption, organisational cultures that encourage vs. discourage whistleblowing, and the role of financial incentives in whistleblower programmes is within scope.

How quickly can anti-corruption research be published at Keith Publications?

Keith Publications journals complete initial screening within 2–5 business days and full peer review within 2–4 weeks — fast enough for anti-corruption researchers working with governments, NGOs, and international organisations on active reform programmes.

Related Research Guides

Explore other research journal guides in the Public Policy, Governance & Administration cluster: