RESPOND is pleased to announce that several members of the consortium have contributed to the newly published Handbook of Research Methods for Corruption Studies. Edited by Michael Johnston, one of the world’s leading and most respected scholars in the field of corruption studies, the volume provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state of corruption research, examining its achievements, methodological innovations, and future directions.

Bringing together leading scholars from around the world, the handbook addresses four fundamental questions: What do we want to do? What questions should we ask? How, and where, should we look for answers? And where do we go from here?

RESPOND researchers contribute to this landmark volume with three chapters showcasing methodological advances in the study of corruption and anti-corruption:

• Chapter 18 – Survey Research on Corruption: Challenges and Advancements, by Gustavo Gouvêa Maciel and Luís de Sousa (University of Lisbon).
• Chapter 21 – Anti-Corruption from the Grassroots in Digitalized Societies: From Websites and Social Media Platforms to Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence Applications, by Alice Mattoni (University of Bologna), RESPOND’s Scientific Coordinator.
• Chapter 22 – Detecting Corruption in the Digital Age: Big Data Issues and Reform Opportunities, by Fernanda Odilla (University of Bologna).

Although these chapters were developed independently of the RESPOND project, they closely align with the project’s research agenda and methodological approach. Together, the publications explore innovative methods for studying corruption, digital governance, civic engagement, and the opportunities and challenges that emerging technologies present for anti-corruption research.

Congratulations to our colleagues on contributing to this important reference work, which will serve as a valuable resource for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers working in the field of corruption studies.