Abstract

This study seeks to analyze the methodological profile of scientific publications completed on public transparency within the context of the African continent. The following are the specific objectives of this study: to present the research methods commonly utilized in academic investigation concerning public transparency in Africa, to survey compilation of a sample of articles on public transparency contained in the Scopus, Portal de Periódicos CAPES, and Web of Science databases, within the time period of 2001-13, and to identify the activity sectors, approaches and research methods utilized in the studies making up the sample. In terms of these objectives, the methodology employed is characterized as exploratory and descriptive, while, in regard to the technical processes undergone, the study is bibliographic and documentary in nature. It was carried out using quantitative data.  The study concludes that the existing research in this field is not limited to specific activity sectors, but rather relevant to the public sector in general. The survey also showed a predominate use of a quantitative approach; the principal research tool is the descriptive method. 

Key words: Transparency, public administration, research methods.