Abstract
Research and measurement are often addressed issues within an anti-corruption discourse. It is impossible to conceive any anti-corruption program, which includes planning of resources and evaluation of progress, if one does not have an understanding of the extent of corruption, in which forms it is manifested, what are its consequences, etc. However, with phenomenon such as corruption, to which is often related definitional vagueness, and having in mind difficulties in research and measurement of crime and deviant behavior in general (whose part corruption is considered to be), the matter is even more complex than with other social phenomena. The paper outlines advantages and shortcomings of diverse potentials in understanding the scope and features of corruption, presented through rather common approach to scientific data collection methods. The review suggest that no single method of research and measurement of corruption is flawless, but has its pros and cons, which in the process of research design have to be seriously considered. It appears that issues such as research question formulation, sampling, resources and availability of data sources present key factors in determining which research strategy and data collection methods to employ. Considering them, as well as finding balance between research objectives and capacities for their achievement, promises more prosperity than abstract deliberation what seems most relevant for understanding of corruption.
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